# verses

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And he said, Blessed <i>be</i> the Lord God of Israel: he has even fulfilled with his hands as he spoke with his mouth to my father David, saying,


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From the day when I brought up my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city of all the tribes of Israel, to build a house that my name should be there; neither did I choose a man to be a leader over my people Israel.


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And it came into the heart of David my father, to build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.


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But the Lord said to my father David, Whereas it came into your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it came into your heart.


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Nevertheless you shall not build the house; for your son who shall come forth out of your loins, he shall build the house for my name.


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And the Lord has confirmed this word, which he spoke; and I am raised up in the room of my father David, and I sit upon the throne of Israel as the Lord said, and I have built the house for the name of the Lord God of Israel:


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and I have set there the ark in which <i>is</i> the covenant of the Lord, which he made with Israel.


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And he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands.


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For Solomon <i>had</i> made a brazen scaffold, and set it in the midst of the court of the sanctuary; the length of it <i>was</i> five cubits, and the breadth of it five cubits, and the height of it three cubits: and he stood upon it, and fell upon his knees before the whole congregation of Israel, and spread abroad his hands to heaven,


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and said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven, or on the earth; keeping covenant and mercy with your servants that walk before you with <i>their</i> whole heart.


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Even as you have kept <i>them</i> with your servant David my father, as you have spoken to him in words:—you have both spoken with your mouth, and have fulfilled <i>it</i> with your hands, as it is this day.


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and now, Lord God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father the things which you spoke to him, saying, There shall not fail you a man before me sitting on the throne of Israel, if only your sons will take heed to their way to walk in my law, as you did walk before me.


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And now, Lord God of Israel, let, I pray you, your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.


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For will God indeed dwell with men upon the earth? if the heaven and the heaven of heavens will not suffice you, what then is this house which I have built?


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Yet you shall have respect to the prayer of your servant, and to my petition, O Lord God, so as to listen to the petition and the prayer which your servant prays before you this day:


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so that your eyes should be open over this house by day and by night, towards this place, whereon you said your name should be called, so as to hear the prayer which your servant prays towards this house.


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And you shall hear the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, whatever prayers they shall make towards this place: and you shall listen in your dwelling-place out of heaven, yes you shall hear, and be merciful.


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If a man sin against his neighbor, and he bring an oath upon him so as to make him swear, and he come and swear before the altar in this house;


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then shall you listen out of heaven, and do, and judge your servants, to recompense the transgressor, and to return his ways upon his head: and to justify the righteous, to recompense him according to his righteousness.


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And if your people Israel should be put to the worse before the enemy, if they should sin against you, and <i>then</i> turn and confess to your name, and pray and make supplication before you in this house;


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then shall you listen out of heaven and shall be merciful to the sins of your people Israel, and you shall restore them to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers.


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When heaven is restrained, and there is no rain, because they shall have sinned against you, and <i>when</i> they shall pray towards this place, and praise your name, and shall turn from their sins, because you shall afflict them;


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then shall you listen from heaven, and you shall be merciful to the sins of your servants, and of your people Israel; for you shall show them the good way in which they shall walk; and you shall send rain upon your land, which you gave to your people for an inheritance.


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If there should be famine upon the land, if there should be death, a pestilent wind and blight; if there should be locust and caterpiller, and if the enemy should harass them before their cities: in whatever plague and whatever distress <i>they may be</i>;


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Then whatever prayer and whatever supplication shall be made by any man and all your people Israel, if a man should know his own plague and his own sickness, and should spread forth his hands toward this house;


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then shall you hear from heaven, out of your prepared dwelling-place, and shall be merciful, and shall recompense to the man according to his ways, as you shall know his heart <i>to be</i>; for you alone know the heart of the children of men:


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that they may reverence all your ways all the days which they live upon the face of the land, which you gave to our fathers.


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And every stranger who is not himself of your people Israel, and who shall have come from a distant land because of your great name, and your mighty hand, and your high arm; when they shall come and worship toward this place; —


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then shall you listen out of heaven, out of your prepared dwelling-place, and shall do according to all that the stranger shall call upon you for; that all the nations of the earth may know your name, and that they may fear you, as your people Israel <i>do</i>, and that they may know that your name is called upon this house which I have built.


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And if your people shall go forth to war against their enemies by the way by which you shall send them, and shall pray to you toward this city which you have chosen, and <i>toward</i> the house which I have built to your name;


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Whereas if they shall sin against you, (for there is no man who will not sin,) and you shall strike them, and deliver them up before their enemies, and they that take them captive shall carry them away into a land of enemies, to a land far off or near;


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and <i>if</i> they shall repent in their land whither they were carried captive, and shall also turn and make supplication to you in their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have transgressed, we have wrought unrighteously;


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and <i>if</i> they shall turn to you with all their heart and all their soul in the land of them that carried them captives, whither they carried them captives, and shall pray toward their land which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you did choose, and the house which I built to your name:—


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then shall you hear out of heaven, out of your prepared dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplication, and you shall execute justice, and shall be merciful to your people that sin against you.


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And now, Lord, let, I pray you, your eyes be opened, and your ears be attentive to the petition <i>made in</i> this place.


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And now, O Lord God, arise into your resting-place, you, and the ark of your strength: let your priests, O Lord God, clothe themselves with salvation, and your sons rejoice in prosperity.


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O Lord God, turn not away the face of your anointed: remember the mercies of your servant David.<pb/>


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And when Solomon had finished praying, then the fire came down from heaven, and devoured the whole burnt offerings and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.


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And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord at that time, for the glory of the Lord filled the house.


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And all the children of Israel saw the fire descending, and the glory of the Lord was upon the house: and they fell upon their face to the ground on the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord; for <i>it is</i> good <i>to do so</i>, because his mercy <i>endures</i> for ever.


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And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of calves twenty and two thousand, of sheep a hundred and twenty thousand: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.


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And the priests were standing at their watches, and the Levites with instruments of music of the Lord, belonging to king David, to give thanks before the Lord, for his mercy <i>endures</i> for ever, with the hymns of David, by their ministry: and the priests were blowing the trumpets before them, and all Israel standing.


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And Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was in the house of the Lord: for he offered there the whole burnt offerings and the fat of the peace-offerings, for the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not sufficient to receive the whole burnt offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat.


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And Solomon kept the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entering in of Aemath, and as far as the river of Egypt.


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And on the eighth day he kept a solemn assembly: for he kept a feast of seven days as the dedication of the altar.


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And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he dismissed the people to their tents, rejoicing, and with a glad heart because of the good deeds which the Lord had done to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.


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So Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king's house: and in whatever Solomon wished in his heart to do in the house of the Lord and in his own house, he prospered.


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And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and I have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.


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If I should restrain the heaven and there should be no rain, and if I should command the locust to devour the trees, and if I should send pestilence upon my people;


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then if my people, on whom my name is called, should repent, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, I also will hear from heaven, and I will be merciful to their sins, and I will heal their land.


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And now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name should be there for ever: and my eyes and my heart shall be there always.


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And if you will walk before me as David your father <i>did</i>, and will do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my ordinances and my judgments;


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then will I establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, There shall not fail you a man ruling in Israel.


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But if you° should turn away, and forsake my ordinances and my commandments, which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them;


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then will I remove you from the land which I gave them; and this house which I have consecrated to my name I will remove out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all nations.


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And <i>as for</i> this lofty house, every one that passes by it shall be amazed, and shall say, Therefore has the Lord done <i>thus</i> to this land, and to this house?


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And <i>men</i> shall say, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they attached themselves to other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: and therefore he has brought upon them all this evil.<pb/>


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And it came to pass after twenty years, in which Solomon built the house of the Lord, and his own house,


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that Solomon rebuilt the cities which Chiram had given to Solomon, and caused the children of Israel to dwell in them.


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And he built Baethoron the upper, and Baethoron the lower, strong cities, —they had walls, gates, and bars;


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and Balaath, and all the strong cities which Solomon had, and all his chariot cities, and cities of horsemen, and all things that Solomon desired according to his desire of building, in Jerusalem, and in Libanus, and in all his kingdom.


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<i>As for</i> all the people that was left of the Chettites, and the Amorites, and the Pherezites, and the Evites, and the Jebusites, who are not of Israel,


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but were of the children of them whom the children Israel destroyed not, that were left after them in the land, even them did Solomon make tributaries to this day.


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But Solomon did not make any of the children of Israel servants in his kingdom; for, behold, <i>they were</i> warriors and rulers, and mighty <i>men</i>, and captains of chariots and horsemen.


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And these are the chiefs of the officers of king Solomon, two hundred and fifty overseeing the work among the people.


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And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharao from the city of David to the house which he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the city of David, the king of Israel, for <i>the place</i> is holy into which the ark of the Lord has entered.


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Then Solomon offered up to the Lord whole burnt offerings on the altar which he had built to the Lord before the temple,


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according to the daily rate, to offer up <i>sacrifices</i> according to the commandments of Moses, on the sabbaths, and at the new moons, and at the feasts, three times in the year, at the feast of unleavened bread, and at the feast of weeks, and at the feast of tabernacles.


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And he established, according to the order of his father David, the courses of the priests, and <i>that</i> according to their public ministrations: and the Levites <i>were appointed</i> over their charges, to praise and minister before the priests according to the daily order: and the porters were appointed according to their courses to the different gates: for thus <i>were</i> the commandments of David the man of God.


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They transgressed not the commandments of the king concerning the priests and the Levites with regard to everything else, and with regard to the treasures.


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Now all the work had been prepared from the day when the foundation was laid, until Solomon finished the house of the Lord.


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And Chiram sent by the hand of his servants ships, and servants skilled in naval affairs; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Sophira, and brought thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and they came to king Solomon.<pb/>


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And the queen of Saba heard <i>of</i> the name of Solomon, and she came to Jerusalem with a very large force, to prove Solomon with hard questions, and <i>she had</i> camels bearing spices in abundance, and gold, and precious stones: and she came to Solomon, and told him all that was in her mind.


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and the meat of the tables, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his ministers, and their raiment; and his cupbearers, and their apparel; and the whole burnt offerings which he offered up in the house of the Lord; then she was in ecstasy.


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And she said to the king, <i>It was</i> a true report which I heard in my land concerning your words, and concerning your wisdom.


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Yet I believed not the reports until I came, and my eyes saw: and, behold, the half of the abundance of your wisdom was not told me: you have exceeded the report which I heard.


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Blessed <i>are</i> your men, blessed <i>are</i> these your servants, who stand before you continually, and hear your wisdom.


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Blessed be the Lord your God, who took pleasure in you, to set you upon his throne for a king, to the Lord your God: forasmuch as the Lord your God loved Israel to establish them for ever, therefore he has set you over them for a king to execute judgment and justice.


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And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in very great abundance, and precious stones: and there were not <i>any where else</i> such spices as those which the queen of Saba gave king Solomon.


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And the servants of Solomon and the servants of Chiram brought gold to Solomon out of Suphir, and pine timber, and precious stones.


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And the king made of the pine timber steps to the house of the Lord, and to the king's house, and harps and lutes for the singers: and such were not seen before in the land of Juda.


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And king Solomon gave to the queen of Saba all that she requested, besides all that she brought to king Solomon: and she returned to her <i>own</i> land.


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And the weight of the gold that was brought to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,


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besides what the men who were regularly appointed and the merchants brought, and all the kings of Arabia and princes of the land: all brought gold and silver to king Solomon.


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And king Solomon made two hundred shields of beaten gold: there were six hundred <i>shekels</i> of pure gold to one shield.


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And three hundred buckles of beaten gold: <i>the weight</i> of three hundred gold shekels went to one buckler: and the king placed them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.


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And <i>there were</i> six steps to the throne, riveted with gold, and elbows on either side of the seat of the throne, and two lions standing by the elbows:


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and twelve lions standing there on the six steps on each side. There was not the like in any <i>other</i> kingdom.


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And all king Solomon's vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were covered with gold: silver was not thought anything of in the days of Solomon.


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For a ship went for the king to Tharsis with the servants of Chiram: once every three years came vessels from Tharsis to the king, laden with gold, and silver, and ivory, and apes.


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


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And they brought every one his gifts, silver vessels and golden vessels, and raiment, myrrh and spices, horses and mules, a rate every year.


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And Solomon had four thousand mares for chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; and he put them in the chariot cities, and with the king in Jerusalem.


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And he ruled over all the kings from the river even to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt.


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And the king made gold and silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as the sycamore trees in the plain for abundance.


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And the rest of the acts of Solomon, the first and the last, behold, these are written in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the words of Achia the Selonite, and in the visions of Joel the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nabat.


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And Solomon fell asleep, and they buried him in the city of David his father: and Roboam his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nabat heard <i>it</i>, (now he was in Egypt, forasmuch as he had fled there from the face of king Solomon, and Jeroboam lived in Egypt,) that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.


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Your father made our yoke grievous: now then abate <i>somewhat</i> of your father's grievous rule, and of his heavy yoke which he put upon us, and we will serve you.


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And king Roboam assembled the elders that stood before his father Solomon in his life-time, saying, How do you° counsel <i>me</i> to return an answer to this people?


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And they spoke to him, saying, If you would this day befriend this people, and be kind to them, and speak to them good words, then will they be your servants for ever.


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But he forsook the advice of the old men, who took counsel with him, and he took counsel with the young men who had been brought up with him, who stood before him.


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And he said to them, What do you° advise that I should answer this people, who spoke to me, saying, Ease <i>somewhat</i> of the yoke which your father laid upon us?


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And the young men that had been brought up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you speak to the people that spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, and do you lighten <i>somewhat of it</i> from us; thus shall you say, My little finger <i>shall be</i> thicker than my father's loins.


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And whereas my father chastised you with a heavy yoke, I will also add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, and I will chastise you with scorpions.


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And Jeroboam and all the people came to Roboam on the third day, as the king had spoken, saying, Return to me on the third day.


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and spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


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And the king listened not to the people, for there was a change <i>of their minds</i> from God, saying, The Lord has confirmed his word, which he spoke by the hand of Achia the Selonite concerning Jeroboam the son of Nabat, and <i>concerning</i> all Israel;


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for the king did not listen to them. And the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David, or inheritance in the son of Jessae? to your tents, O Israel: now see to your own house, David. So all Israel went to their tents.


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But the men of Israel, even those who lived in the cities of Juda, <i>remained</i> and made Roboam king over them.


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And king Roboam sent to them Adoniram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, and he died. And king Roboam hasted to mount <i>his</i> chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.


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And Roboam came to Jerusalem; and he assembled Juda and Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand young men fit for war, and he waged war with Israel to recover the kingdom to Roboam.


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Thus says the Lord, You° shall not go up, and you° shall not war against your brethren: return every one to his home; for this thing is of me. And they listened to the word of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam.


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And he fortified them with walls, and placed in them captains, and stores of provisions, oil and wine,


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shields and spears in every several city, and he fortified them very strongly, and he had on his side Juda and Benjamin.


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For the Levites left the tents of their possession, and went to Juda to Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had ejected them so that they should not minister to the Lord.


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And he made for himself priests of the high places, and for the idols, and for the vanities, and for the calves which Jeroboam made.


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And he cast out from the tribes of Israel those who set their heart to seek the Lord God of Israel: and they came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.


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And they strengthened the kingdom of Juda; and <i>Juda</i> strengthened Roboam the <i>son</i> of Solomon for three years, for he walked three years in the ways of David and Solomon.


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And Roboam took to himself for a wife, Moolath daughter of Jerimuth the son of David, and Abigaia daughter of Heliab the son of Jessae.


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And afterwards he took to himself Maacha the daughter of Abessalom; and she bore him Abia, and Jetthi, and Zeza, and Salemoth.


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And Roboam loved Maacha the daughter of Abessalom more than all his wives and all his concubines: for he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines; and he begot twenty-eight sons, and sixty daughters.


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And he made Abia the son of Maacha chief, <i>even</i> a leader among his brethren, for he intended to make him king.


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And he was exalted beyond all his <i>other</i> sons in all the coasts of Juda and Benjamin, and in the strong cities; and he gave them provisions in great abundance: and he desired many wives.<pb/>


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And it came to pass when the kingdom of Roboam was established, and when he had grown strong, <i>that</i> he forsook the commandments of the Lord, and all Israel with him.


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And it came to pass in the fifth year of the reign of Roboam, Susakim king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had sinned against the Lord,


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with twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horses: and there was no number of the multitude that came with him from Egypt; Libyans, Trogodytes, and Ethiopians.


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And Samaias the prophet came to Roboam, and to the princes of Juda that were gathered to Jerusalem for fear of Susakim, and said to them, Thus said the Lord, You° have left me, and I will leave you in the hand of Susakim.


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And when the Lord saw that they repented, then came the word of the Lord to Samaias, saying, They have repented; I will not destroy them, but I will set them in safety for a little while, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem.


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Nevertheless they shall be servants, and know my service, and the service of the kings of the earth.


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So Susakim king of Egypt went up against Jerusalem, and took the treasures that were in the house of the Lord, and the treasures that were in the king's house: he took all; and he took the golden shields which Solomon had made.


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And king Roboam made brazen shields instead of them. And Susakim set over him captains of footmen, as keepers of the gate of the king.


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And it came to pass, when the king went into the house of the Lord, the guards and the footmen went in, and they that returned to meet the footmen.


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And when he repented, the anger of the Lord turned from him, and did not destroy him utterly; for there were good things in Juda.


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So king Roboam strengthened <i>himself</i> in Jerusalem, and reigned: and Roboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, in the city which the Lord chose out of all the tribes of the children of Israel to call his name there: and his mother's name was Noomma the Ammanitess.


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And the acts of Roboam, the first and the last, behold, are they not written in the book of Samaia the prophet, and Addo the seer, with his achievements.


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And Roboam made war with Jeroboam all <i>his</i> days. And Roboam died with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abia his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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He reigned three years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name <i>was</i> Maacha, daughter of Uriel of Gabaon. And there was war between Abia and Jeroboam.


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And Abia set the battle in array with an army, with mighty men of war, <i>even</i> four hundred thousand mighty men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand, <i>they were</i> mighty warriors of the host.


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And Abia rose up from the mount Somoron, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear you°, Jeroboam, and all Israel:


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<i>Is it</i> not for you to know that the Lord God of Israel has given a king over Israel for ever to David, and to his sons, by a covenant of salt?


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But Jeroboam the <i>son</i> of Nabat, the servant of Solomon <i>the son</i> of David, is risen up, and has revolted from his master:


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and there are gathered to him pestilent men, transgressors, and he has risen up against Roboam the <i>son</i> of Solomon, while Roboam was young and fearful in heart, and he withstood him not.


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And now you° profess to resist the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David; and you° <i>are</i> a great multitude, and with you are golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.


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Did you° not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make to yourselves priests of the people of any <i>other</i> land? whoever came to consecrate himself with a calf of the heard and seven rams, he forthwith became a priest to that which is no god.


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But we have not forsaken the Lord our God, and his priests, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, minister to the Lord; and in their daily courses


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they sacrifice to the Lord whole burnt offering, morning and evening, and compound incense, and <i>set</i> the show bread on the pure table; and <i>there is</i> the golden candlestick, and the lamps for burning, to light in the evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord God of our fathers; but you° have forsaken him.


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And, behold, the Lord and his priests are with us at our head, and the signal trumpets to sound an alarm over us. Children of Israel, fight not against the Lord God of our fathers; for you° shall not prosper.


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Now Jeroboam had caused an ambush to come round upon him from behind: and he <i>himself</i> was before Juda, and the ambush behind.


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And Juda looked back, and, behold, the battle <i>was</i> against them before and behind: and they cried to the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.


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And the men of Juda shouted: and it came to pass, when the men of Juda shouted, that the Lord struck Jeroboam and Israel before Abia and Juda.


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And Abia and his people struck them with a great slaughter: and there fell slain of Israel five hundred thousand mighty men.


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So the children of Israel were brought low in that day, and the children of Juda prevailed, because they trusted on the Lord God of their fathers.


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And Abia pursued after Jeroboam, and he took from him the cities, Baethel and her towns, and Jesyna and her towns, and Ephron and her towns.


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And Jeroboam did not recover strength again all the days of Abia: and the Lord struck him, and he died.


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But Abia strengthened himself, and took to himself fourteen wives, and he begot twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters.


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And the rest of the acts of Abia, and his deeds, and his sayings, are written in the book of the prophet Addo.<pb/>


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And Abia died with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In the days of Asa the land of Juda had rest ten years.


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And he removed the altars of the strange <i>gods</i>, and the high places, and broke the pillars in pieces, and cut down the groves:


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and he told Juda to seek earnestly the Lord God of their fathers, and to perform the law and commandments.


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fortified cities in the land of Juda; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in these years; for the Lord gave him rest.


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And he said to Juda, Let us fortify these cities, and make walls, and towers, and gates, and bars: we shall prevail over the land, for as we have sought out the Lord our God, he has sought out us, and has given us rest round about, and prospered us.


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And Asa had a force of armed men bearing shields and spears in the land of Juda, <i>even</i> three hundred thousand, and in the land of Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand targeteers and archers: all these were mighty warriors.


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And Zare the Ethiopian went out against them, with a force of a million, and three hundred chariots; and came to Maresa.


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And Asa cried to the Lord his God, and said, O Lord, it is not impossible with you to save by many or by few: strengthen us, O Lord our God; for we trust in you, and in your name have we come against this great multitude. O Lord our God, let not man prevail against you.


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And Asa and his people pursued them to Gedor; and the Ethiopians fell, so that they could not recover themselves; for they were crushed before the Lord, and before his host; and they took many spoils.


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And they destroyed their towns roundabout Gedor; for a terror of the Lord was upon them: and they spoiled all their cities, for they had much spoil.


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Also they destroyed the tents of cattle, and the Alimazons, and took many sheep and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.<pb/>


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and he went out to meet Asa, and all Juda and Benjamin, and said, Hear me, Asa, and all Juda and Benjamin. The Lord <i>is</i> with you, while you° are with him; and if you° seek him out, he will be found of you; but if you° forsake him, he will forsake you.


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And Israel <i>has been</i> a long time without the true God, and without a priest to expound <i>the truth</i>, and without the law.


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And in that time there is no peace to one going out, nor to one coming in, for the terror of the Lord is upon all that inhabit the lands.


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And nation shall fight against nation, and city against city; for God has confounded them with every <i>kind of</i> affliction.


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And when <i>Asa</i> heard these words, and the prophesy of Adad the prophet, then he strengthened himself, and cast out the abominations from all the land of Juda and Benjamin, and from the cities which Jeroboam possessed, in mount Ephraim, and he renewed the altar of the Lord, which was before the temple of the Lord.


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And he assembled Juda and Benjamin, and the strangers that lived with him, of Ephraim, and of Manasse, and of Symeon: for many of Israel were joined to him, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.


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And he sacrificed to the Lord in that day of the spoils which they brought, seven hundred calves and seven thousand sheep.


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And he entered into a covenant that they should seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.


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And that whoever should not seek the Lord God of Israel, should die, whether young or old, whether man or woman.


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And all Juda rejoiced concerning the oath: for they swore with all their heart, and they sought him with all their desires; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.


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And he removed Maacha his mother from being priestess to Astarte; and he cut down the idol, and burned it in the brook of Kedron.


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Nevertheless they removed not the high places: they still existed in Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.


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And he brought in the holy things of David his father, and the holy things of the house of God, silver, and gold, and vessels.


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And in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Asa, the king of Israel went up against Juda, and built Rama, so as not to allow egress or ingress to Asa king of Juda.


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And Asa took silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord, and of the king's house, and sent <i>them</i> to the son of Ader king of Syria, which lived in Damascus, saying,


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Make a covenant between me and you, and between my father and your father: behold, I have sent you gold and silver: come, and turn away from me Baasa king of Israel, and let him depart from me.


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And the son of Ader listened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his host against the cities of Israel; and struck Aeon, and Dan, and Abelmain, and all the country round Nephthali.


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And it came to pass when Baasa heard <i>it</i> he left off building Rama, and put a stop to his work:


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then king Asa took all Juda, and took the stones of Rama, and its timber, <i>with</i> which Baasa <i>had</i> built; and he built with them Gabae and Maspha.


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And at that time came Anani the prophet to Asa king of Juda, and said to him, Because you did trust on the king of Syria, and did not trust on the Lord your God, therefore the army of Syria is escaped out of your hand.


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Were not the Ethiopians and Libyans a great force, in courage, in horsemen, in great numbers? and did not He deliver them into your hands, because you trusted in the Lord?


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For the eyes of the Lord look upon all the earth, to strengthen every heart that is perfect toward him. In this you have done foolishly; henceforth there shall be war with you.


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And Asa was angry with the prophet, and put him in prison, for he was angry at this: and Asa vexed some of the people at that time.


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And, behold, the acts of Asa, the first and the last, <i>are</i> written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.


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And Asa was diseased <i>in</i> his feet in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, until he was very ill: but in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.


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And they buried him in the sepulchre which he had dug for himself in the city of David, and they laid him on a bed, and filled <i>it</i> with spices and <i>all</i> kinds of perfumes of the apothecaries; and they made for him a very great funeral.<pb/>


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And he put garrisons in all the strong cities of Juda, and appointed captains in all the cities of Juda, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.


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And the Lord was with Josaphat, for he walked in the first ways of his father, and did not seek to idols;


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but he sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in the commandments of his father, and not according to the works of Israel.


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And the Lord prospered the kingdom in his hand; and all Juda gave gifts to Josaphat; and he had great wealth and glory.


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And his heart was exalted in the way of the Lord; and he removed the high places and the groves from the land of Juda.


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And in the third year of his reign, he sent his chief men, and his mighty men, Abdias and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Michaias, to teach in the cities of Juda.


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And with them <i>were</i> the Levites, Samaias, and Nathanias, and Zabdias, and Asiel, and Semiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonias, and Tobias, and Tobadonias, Levites, and with them Elisama and Joram, the priests.


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And they taught in Juda, and <i>there was</i> with them the book of the law of the Lord, and they passed through the cities of Juda, and taught the people.


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And a terror of the Lord was upon all the kingdoms of the land round about Juda, and they made no war against Josaphat.


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And <i>some</i> of the Philistines brought to Josaphat gifts, and silver, and presents; and the Arabians brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams.


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And Josaphat increased in greatness exceedingly, and built in Judea places of abode, and strong cities.


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And he had many works in Judea: and the mighty men of war, <i>the men</i> of strength, <i>were</i> in Jerusalem.


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And this <i>is</i> their number according to the houses of their fathers; even the captains of thousands in Juda <i>were</i>, Ednas the chief, and with him mighty men of strength three hundred thousand.


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And after him Amasias the <i>son</i> of Zari, who was zealous for the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of strength.


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And out of Benjamin <i>there was</i> a mighty man of strength, even Eliada, and with him two hundred thousand archers and targeteers.


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These were the king's servants besides those whom the king put in the strong cities in all Judea.<pb/>


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And Josaphat had yet great wealth and glory, and he connected himself by marriage with the house of Achaab.


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And he went down after a term of years to Achaab to Samaria: and Achaab killed for him sheep and calves, in abundance, and for the people with him, and he much desired him to go up with him to Ramoth of the country of Galaad.


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And Achaab king of Israel said to Josaphat king of Juda, Will you go with me to Ramoth of the country of Galaad? And he said to him, As I <i>am</i>, so also <i>are</i> you, as your people, <i>so</i> also <i>is</i> my people with you for the war.


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And the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to Ramoth Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, and God shall deliver <i>it</i> into the hands of the king.


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And the king of Israel said to Josaphat, There is yet one man by whom to enquire of the Lord; but I hate him, for he does not prophesy concerning me for good, for all his days <i>are</i> for evil: this <i>is</i> Michaias the son of Jembla. And Josaphat said, Let not the king say so.


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And the king of Israel and Josaphat king of Juda were sitting each on his throne, and clothed in their robes, sitting in the open space at the entrance of the gate of Samaria: and all the prophets were prophesying before them.


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And Sedekias son of Chanaan made for himself iron horns, and said, Thus says the Lord, With these you shall thrust Syria until it be consumed.


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And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth Galaad, and you shall prosper; and the Lord shall deliver it into the hands of the king.


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And the messenger that went to call Michaias spoke to him, saying, Behold, the prophets have spoken favourably concerning the king with one mouth; let now, I pray you, your words be as <i>the words</i> of one of them, and do you speak good things.


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And he came to the king, and the king said to him, Michaias, shall I go up to Ramoth Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go up, and you shall prosper, and they shall be given into your hands.


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And the king said to him, How often shall I solemnly charge you that you speak to me nothing but truth in the name of the Lord?


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And he said, I saw Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep without a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no commander; let each return to his home in peace.


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And the king of Israel said to Josaphat, Said I not to you, that he would not prophesy concerning me good, but evil?


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But he said, Not so. Hear you° the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven stood by on his right hand and on his left.


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And the Lord said, Who will deceive Achaab king of Israel, that he may go up, and fall in Ramoth Galaad? And one spoke this way, and another spoke that way.


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And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will deceive him. And the Lord said, Whereby?


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And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And <i>the Lord</i> said, You shall deceive <i>him</i>, and shall prevail: go forth, and do so.


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And now, behold, the Lord has put a false spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil against you.


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Then Sedekias the son of Chanaan drew near, and struck Michaias on the cheek, and said to him, By what way passed the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak to you?


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And Michaias said, Behold, you shall see in that day, when you shall go from chamber to chamber to hide yourself.


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And the king of Israel said, Take Michaias, and carry him back to Emer the governor of the city, and to Joas the captain, the king's son;


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and you° shall say, Thus said the king, Put this fellow into the prison house, and let him eat the bread of affliction, and <i>drink</i> the water of affliction, until I return in peace.


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And Michaias said, If you do at all return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, all you° people.


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And the king of Israel said to Josaphat, Disguise me, and I will enter into the battle: and do you put on my raiment. so the king of Israel disguised himself, and entered into the battle.


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Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight neither against small nor great, but only against the king of Israel.


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And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Josaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel: and they compassed him about to fight against him: and Josaphat cried out, and the Lord delivered him; and God turned them away from him.


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And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned away from him.


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And a man drew a bow with a good aim, and struck the king of Israel between the lungs and the breast-plate: and he said to the charioteer, Turn your hand, drive me out of the battle, for I am wounded.


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And the battle turned in that day; and the king of Israel remained on the chariot against Syria until evening, and died at sunset.<pb/>


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And there went out to meet him Jeu the prophet the son of Anani, and said to him, King Josaphat, do you help a sinner, or act friendly towards one hated of the Lord? Therefore has wrath come upon you from the Lord.


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Nevertheless <i>some</i> good things have been found in you, forasmuch as you did remove the groves from the land of Juda, and did direct your heart to seek after the Lord.


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And Josaphat lived in Jerusalem: and he again went out among the people from Bersabee to the mount of Ephraim, and turned them back to the Lord God of their fathers.


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And he said to the judges, Take good heed what you° do: for you° judge not for man, but for the Lord, and with you are matters of judgment.


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And now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, and be wary, and do <i>your duty</i>: for there is no unrighteousness with the Lord our God, neither <i>is it for him</i> to respect persons, nor take bribes.


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Moreover Josaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the priests, and Levites, and heads of houses of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and to judge the dwellers in Jerusalem.


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And he charged them, saying, Thus shall you° do in the fear of the Lord, in truth and with a perfect heart.


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Whatsoever man of your brethren that dwell in their cities <i>shall bring</i> the cause that comes before you, between blood <i>and</i> blood, and between precept and commandment, and ordinances and judgments, you° shall even decide for them; so they shall not sin against the Lord, and there shall not be wrath upon you, and upon your brethren: thus you° shall do, and you° shall not sin.


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And, behold, Amarias the priest is head over you in every matter of the Lord; and Zabdias the son of Ismael is head over the house of Juda in every matter of the king; and the scribes and Levites are before you: be strong and active, and the Lord shall be with the good.<pb/>


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And after this came the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them <i>some</i> of the Minaeans, against Josaphat to battle.


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And they came and told Josaphat, saying, There is come against you a great multitude from Syria, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Asasan Thamar, this is Engadi.


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And Josaphat was alarmed, and set his face to seek the Lord earnestly, and he proclaimed a fast in all Juda.


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And Juda gathered themselves together to seek after the Lord: even from all the cities of Juda they came to seek the Lord.


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And Josaphat stood up in the assembly of Juda in Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, in front of the new court.


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And he said, O Lord God of my fathers, are not you God in heaven above, and are not you Lord of all the kingdoms of the nations? and <i>is there</i> not in your hand the might of dominion, and there is no one who can resist you?


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Are not you the Lord that did destroy the inhabitants of this land before the face of your people Israel, and did give it to your beloved seed of Abraham for ever?


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If there should come upon us evils, sword, judgment, pestilence, famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, (for your name <i>is</i> upon this house,) and we will cry to you because of the affliction, and you shall hear, and deliver.


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And now, behold, the children of Ammon, and Moab, and mount Seir, with regard to whom you did not permit Israel to pass through their border, when they had come out of the land of Egypt, (for they turned away from them, and did not destroy them;)—


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yet now, behold, they make attempts against us, to come forth to cast us out from our inheritance which you gave us.


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O Lord our God, will you not judge them? for we have no strength to resist this great multitude that is come against us; and we know not what we shall do to them: but our eyes are toward you.


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And Oziel the <i>son</i> of Zacharias, of the children of Banaias, of the sons of Eleiel, the sons of Matthanias the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, —upon him came the Spirit of the Lord in the assembly:


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and he said, Hear you°, all Juda, and the dwellers in Jerusalem, and king Josaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, even you, Fear not, neither be alarmed, before all this great multitude; for the battle is not years, but God's.


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To-morrow go you° down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Assis, and you° shall find them at the extremity of the river of the wilderness of Jeriel.


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It is not for you to fight: understand these things, and see the deliverance of the Lord with you, Juda and Jerusalem: fear not, neither be afraid to go forth to-morrow to meet them; and the Lord shall be with you.


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And Josaphat bowed with his face <i>to the ground</i> with all Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem, <i>and</i> they fell before the Lord to worship the Lord.


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And the Levites of the children of Caath, and <i>they</i> of the sons of Core, rose up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.


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And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Thecoe: and as they went out, Josaphat stood and cried, and said, Hear me, Juda, and the dwellers in Jerusalem; put your trust in the Lord God, and your trust shall be honored; trust in his prophet, and you° shall prosper.


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And he took counsel with the people, and set appointed men to sing psalms and praises, to give thanks, and sing the holy songs of praise in going forth before the host: and they said, Give thanks to the Lord, for his mercy <i>endures</i> for ever.


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And when they began the praise and thanksgiving, the Lord caused the children of Ammon to fight against Moab, and <i>the inhabitants of</i> mount Seir that came out against Juda; and they were routed.


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Then the children of Ammon and Moab rose up against the dwellers in mount Seir, to destroy and consume them; and when they had made an end of <i>destroying</i> the inhabitants of Seir, they rose up against one another so that they were utterly destroyed.


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And Juda came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, and looked, and saw the multitude, and, behold, <i>they were</i> all fallen dead upon the earth, not one escaped.


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And Josaphat and his people went out to spoil them, and they found much cattle, and furniture, and spoils, and precious things: and they spoiled them, and they were three days gathering the spoil, for it was abundant.


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And it came to pass on the fourth day they were gathered to the Valley of Blessing; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore they called the name of the place the Valley of Blessing, until this day.


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And all the men of Juda returned to Jerusalem, and Josaphat led them with great joy; for the Lord gave them joy over their enemies.


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And they entered into Jerusalem with lutes and harps and trumpets, <i>going</i> into the house of the lord.


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And there was a terror of the Lord upon all the kingdoms of the land, when they heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.


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And Josaphat reigned over Juda, being thirty-five years <i>old</i> when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Azuba, daughter of Sali.


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And he walked in the ways of his father Asa, and turned not aside from doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.


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nevertheless the high places yet remained; and as yet the people did not direct their heart to the Lord God of their fathers.


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And the rest of the acts of Josaphat, the first and the last, behold, they are written in the history of Jeu <i>the son</i> of Anani, who wrote the book of the kings of Israel.


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And afterwards Josaphat king of Juda entered into an alliance with Ochozias king of Israel, (now this was an unrighteous man,)


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by acting <i>with</i> and going to him, to build ships to go to Tharsis: and he built ships in Gasion Gaber.


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And Eliezer you <i>son</i> of Dodia of Marisa prophesied against Josaphat, saying, Forasmuch as you have allied yourself with Ochozias, the Lord has broken your work, and your vessels have been wrecked. And they could not go to Tharsis.<pb/>


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And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Joran his son reigned in his stead.


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And he had brothers, the six sons of Josaphat, Azarias, and Jeiel, and Zacharias, and Azarias, and Michael, and Zaphatias: all these <i>were</i> the sons of Josaphat king of Juda.


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And their father gave them many gifts, silver, and gold, and arms, together with fortified cities in Juda: but he gave the kingdom to Joram, for he <i>was</i> the firstborn.


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And Joram entered upon his kingdom, and strengthened himself, and killed all his brothers with the sword, and <i>some</i> of the princes of Israel.


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When he was thirty and two years old, Joram succeeded to his kingdom, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.


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And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Achaab; for a daughter of Achaab was his wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord:


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nevertheless the Lord would not utterly destroy the house of David, because of the covenant which he made with David, and as he said to him that he would give a light to him and his sons for ever.


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And Joram went with the princes, and all the cavalry with him: and it came to pass that he arose by night, and struck Edom that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots, and the people fled to their tents.


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And Edom revolted from Juda until this day. Then Lomna at that time revolted from <i>under</i> his hand, because he forsook the Lord God of his fathers.


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For he built high places in the cities of Juda, and caused the dwellers in Jerusalem to go a-whoring, and led Juda astray.


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And there came to him <i>a message</i> in writing from Eliu the prophet, saying, Thus says the Lord God of your father David, Because you have not walked in the way of your father Josaphat, nor in the ways of Asa king of Juda,


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but have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and have caused Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem to go a-whoring, as the house of Achaab caused <i>Israel</i> to go a-whoring, and you have slain your brethren, the sons of your father, who were better than yourself;


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behold, the Lord shall strike you with a great plague among your people, and your sons, and your wives, and all your store:


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and you <i>shall be afflicted</i> with a grievous disease, with a disease of the bowels, until your bowels shall fall out day by day with the sickness.


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So the Lord stirred up the Philistines against Joram, and the Arabians, and those who bordered on the Aethiopians:


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and they went up against Juda, and prevailed against them, and took away all the store which they found in the house of the king, and his sons, and his daughters; and there was no son left to him but Ochozias the youngest of his sons.


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And it continued from day to day: and when the time of the days came <i>to</i> two years, his bowels fell out with the disease, and he died by a grievous distemper: and his people performed no funeral, like the funeral of his fathers.


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He was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed without honor, and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.<pb/>


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And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ochozias his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of robbers that came against them, even the Arabians and the Alimazonians, had slain all the elder ones. So Ochozias son of Joram king of Juda reigned.


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Ochozias began to reign when he was twenty years old, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Gotholia, the daughter of Ambri.


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And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord as the house of Achaab <i>had done</i>: for they were his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction.


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And he walked in their counsels, and he went with Joram son of Achaab king of Israel to war against Azael king of Syria to Ramoth Galaad: and the archers struck Joram.


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And Joram returned to Jezrael to be healed of the wounds wherewith the Syrians struck him in Ramoth, when he fought against Azael king of Syria. And Ochozias son of Joram, king of Juda, went down to see Joram the son of Achaab at Jezrael because he was sick.


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And destruction from God came upon Ochozias in <i>his</i> coming to Joram; for when he had come, Joram went out with him against Jeu the son of Namessei, the anointed of the Lord against the house of Achaab.


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And it came to pass, when Jeu was taking vengeance on the house of Achaab, that he found the princes of Juda and the brethren of Ochozias ministering to Ochozias, and he killed them.


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And he gave orders to seek Ochozias: and they took him while he was healing his wounds in Samaria, and they brought him to Jeu, and he killed him; and they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Josaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart. So there was none in the house of Ochozias to secure their power in the kingdom.


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And Gotholia the mother of Ochozias saw that her son was dead, and she arose and destroyed all the seed royal in the house of Juda.


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But Josabeeth, the daughter of the king, took Joas the son of Ochozias and rescued him secretly out of the midst of the sons of the king that were put to death, and she placed him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Josabeeth daughter of king Joram, sister of Ochozias, wife of Jodae the priest, hid him, and she <i>even</i> hid him from Gotholia, and she did not kill him.


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And in the eighth year Jodae strengthened <i>himself</i>, and took the captains of hundreds, Azarias the son of Joram, and Ismael the son of Joanan, and Azarias the son of Obed, and Maasaeas the son of Adia, and Elisaphan the son of Zacharias, with him to the house of the Lord.


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And they went round about Juda, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Juda, and heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.


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and all the congregation of Juda made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he showed them the king's son, and said to them, Behold, let the king's son reign, as the Lord said concerning the house of David.


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Now this <i>is</i> the thing which you° shall do. Let a third part of you, <i>even</i> of the priests and of the Levites, enter in on the sabbath, even into the gates of the entrances;


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and let a third part be in the house of the king; and another third at the middle gate: and all the people in the courts of the Lord's house.


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And let not <i>any one</i> enter into the house of the Lord, except the priests and the Levites, and the servants of the Levites; they shall enter in, because they are holy: and let all the people keep the watch of the Lord.


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And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man's weapon in his hand; and whoever <i>else</i> goes into the house shall die: but they shall be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.


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And the Levites and all Juda did according to all that the priest Jodae commanded them, and they took each his men from the beginning of the sabbath to the end of the sabbath, for Jodae the priest did not dismiss the courses.


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And Jodae gave to the men the swords, and the shields, and the arms, which <i>had</i> belonged to King David, in the house of God.


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And he set the whole people, every man with his arms, from the right side of the house to the left side of the altar and the house, over against the king round about.


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And he brought out the king's son, and put on him the crown and the testimony, and Jodae the priest and his sons proclaimed him king, and anointed him, and said, Long live the king!


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And Gotholia heard the sound of the people running, and acknowledging and praising the king: and she went in to the king into the house of the Lord.


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And she looked, and, behold, the king <i>stood</i> in his place, and the princes and trumpets were at the entrance, and the princes were round the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded the trumpets, and there were the singers singing with instruments, and singing hymns of praise. and Gotholia tore her robe, and cried, you° surely are plotting against <i>me</i>.


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And Jodae the priest went forth, and Jodae the priest charged the captains of hundreds, even the captains of the host, and said to them, Thrust her forth outside the house, and follow her, and let her be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.


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So they let her go <i>out</i>; and she went through the horsemen's gate of the house of the king, and they killed her there.


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And Jodae made a covenant between himself, and the people, and the king, that the people should be the Lord's.


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And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and tore down it and its altars, and they ground his images to powder, and they killed Matthan the priest of Baal before his altars.


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And Jodae the priest committed the works of the house of the Lord into the hand of the priests and Levites, and he re-established the courses of the priests and Levites which David appointed over the house of the Lord, and <i>he appointed them</i> to offer whole burnt offerings to the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses, with gladness, and with songs by the hand of David.


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And the porters stood at the gates of the house of the Lord, that no one unclean in any respect should enter in.


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And he took the heads of families, and the mighty men, and the chiefs of the people, and all the people of the land, and they conducted the king into the house of the Lord; and he went through the inner gate into the king's house, and they seated the king on the throne of the kingdom.


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Joas was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Sabia of Bersabee.


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And he gathered the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out into the cities of Juda, and collect money of all Israel to repair the house of the Lord from year to year, and make haste to speak <i>of it</i>. But the Levites hasted not.


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And king Joas called Jodae the chief, and said to him, Why have you not looked after the Levites, so that they should bring from Juda and Jerusalem that which was prescribed by Moses the man of God, when he assembled Israel at the tabernacle of witness?


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For Gotholia was a transgressor, and her sons tore down the house of God; for they offered the holy things of the house of the Lord to Baalim.


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And the king said, Let a box be made, and let it be put at the gate of the house of the Lord without.


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And let <i>men</i> proclaim in Juda and in Jerusalem, that <i>the people</i> should bring to the Lord, as Moses the servant of God spoke concerning Israel in the wilderness.


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And all the princes and all the people gave, and brought in, and cast into the box until it was filled.


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And it came to pass, when they brought in the box to the officers of the king by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that the money was more than sufficient, then came the king's scribe, and the officer of the high priest, and emptied the box, and restored it to its place. Thus they did day by day, and collected much money.


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And the king and Jodae the priest gave it to the workmen employed in the service of the house of the Lord, and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, also smiths and braziers to repair the house of the Lord.


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And the workmen wrought, and the works prospered in their hands, and they established the house of the Lord on its foundation, and strengthened <i>it</i>.


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And when they had finished <i>it</i>, they brought to the king and to Jodae the remainder of the money, and they made vessels for the house of the Lord, vessels of service for whole burnt offerings, and gold and silver <i>censers</i>: and they offered up whole burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jodae.


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And Jodae grew old, being full of days, and he died, being a hundred and thirty years old at his death.


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And they buried him with the kings in the city of David, because he had dealt well with Israel, and with God and his house.


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And it came to pass after the death of Jodae, <i>that</i> the princes of Juda went in, and did obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them.


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And they forsook the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served the Astartes and idols: and there was wrath upon Juda and Jerusalem in that day.


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yet he sent prophets to them, to turn them to the Lord; but they listened not: and he testified to them, but they obeyed not.


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And the Spirit of God came upon Azarias the son of Jodae the priest, and he stood up above the people, and said, Thus says the Lord, Why do you° transgress the commandments of the Lord? so shall you° not prosper; for you° have forsaken the Lord, and he will forsake you.


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And they conspired against him, and stoned him by command of king Joas in the court of the Lord's house.


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So Joas remembered not the kindness which his father Jodae had exercised towards him, but killed his son. And as he died, he said, The Lord look upon <i>it</i>, and judge.


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And it came to pass after the end of the year, <i>that</i> the host of Syria went up against him, and came against Juda and Jerusalem: and they killed all the chiefs of the people among the people, and all their spoils they sent to the king of Damascus.


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For the army of Syria came with few men, yet God gave into their hands a very large army, because they had forsaken the God of their fathers; and he brought judgments on Joas.


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And after they had departed from him, when they had left him in sore diseases, then his servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jodae the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchre of the kings.


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And they that conspired against him were Zabed the son of Samaath the Ammanite, and Jozabed the son of Samareth the Moabite.


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And all his sons, and the five came to him: and the other <i>matters</i>, behold, they are written in the book of the kings. And Amasias his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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Amasias began to reign when he was twenty and five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name <i>was</i> Joadaen of Jerusalem.


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And it came to pass, when the kingdom was established in his hand, that he killed his servants who had slain the king his father.


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But he killed not their sons, according to the covenant of the law of the Lord, as it is written, <i>and</i> as the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, and the sons shall not die for the fathers, but they shall die each for his own sin.


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And Amasias assembled the house of Juda, and appointed them according to the houses of their families for captains of thousands and captains of hundreds in all Juda and Jerusalem: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upwards, and found them three hundred thousand able to go out to war, holding spear and shield.


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And there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the host of Israel go with you; for the Lord is not with Israel, <i>even</i> all the sons of Ephraim.


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For if you shall undertake to strengthen <i>yourself</i> with these, then the lord shall put you to flight before the enemies: for it is of the Lord both to strengthen and to put to flight.


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And Amasias said to the man of God, But what shall I do <i>for</i> the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God said, The Lord can give you much more than these.


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And Amasias separated from the army that came to him from Ephraim, that they might go away to their place; and they were very angry with Juda, and they returned to their place with great wrath.


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And Amasias strengthened <i>himself</i>, and took his people, and went to the valley of salt, and struck there the children of Seir ten thousand.


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And the children of Juda took ten thousand prisoners, and they carried them to the top of the precipice, and cast them headlong from the top of the precipice, and they were all dashed to pieces.


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And the men of the host whom Amasias sent back so that they should not go with him to battle, <i>went</i> and attacked the cities of Juda, from Samaria to Baethoron; and they struck three thousand among them, and took much spoil.


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And it came to pass, after Amasias had returned from striking Idumea, that he brought home the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up for himself as gods, and bowed down before them, and he sacrificed to them.


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And the anger of the Lord came upon Amasias, and he sent him a prophet, and he said to him, Why have you sought the gods of the people, which have not rescued their own people out of your hand?


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And it came to pass when the prophet was speaking to him, that he said to him, have I made you king's counsellor? take heed lest you be scourged: and the prophet forebore, and said, I know that <i>God</i> is disposed against you to destroy you, because you have done this thing, and have not listened to my counsel.


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And Amasias king of Juda took counsel, and sent to Joas, son of Joachaz, son of Jeu, king of Israel, saying, Come, and let us look one another in the face.


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And Joas king of Israel sent to Amasias king of Juda, saying, The thistle that was in Libanus sent to the cedar that was in Libanus, saying, Give your daughter to my son to wife; but, behold, your wild beasts of the field that are in Libanus shall come: and the wild beasts did come, and trod down the thistle.


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You have said, Behold, I have struck Idumea, and your stout heart exalts you: now stay at home; for why do you implicate yourself in mischief, that you should fall, and Juda with you.


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Nevertheless Amasias listened not, for it was of the Lord to deliver him into <i>the enemy's</i> hands, because he sought after the gods of the Idumeans.


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So Joas king of Israel went up; and they saw one another, he and Amasias king of Juda, in Baethsamys, which is of Juda.


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And Joas king of Israel took prisoner Amasias king of Juda, <i>son</i> of Joas, son of Joachaz, in Baethsamys, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he pulled down <i>part</i> of the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.


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And <i>he took</i> all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the Lord and with Abdedom, and the treasures of the king's house, and the hostages, and he returned to Samaria.


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And Amasias the <i>son</i> of Joas king of Juda lived after the death of Joas the <i>son</i> of Joachaz king of Israel fifteen years.


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And the rest of the acts of Amasias, the first and the last, Behold! are they not written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel?


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And at the time when Amasias departed from the Lord, then they formed a conspiracy against him; and he fled from Jerusalem to Lachis: and they sent after him to Lachis, and killed him there.


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Then all the people of the land took Ozias, and he was sixteen years old, and they made him king in the room of his father Amasias.


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Ozias began to reign at the age of sixteen years, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jechelia of Jerusalem.


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And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Amasias his father did.


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And he sought the Lord in the days of Zacharias, who understood the fear of the Lord; and in his days he sought the Lord, and the Lord prospered him.


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And he went out and fought against the Philistines, and pulled down the walls of Geth, and the walls of Jabner, and the walls of Azotus, and he built cities <i>near</i> Azotus, and among the Philistines.


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And the Lord strengthened him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that lived on the rock, and against the Minaeans.


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And the Minaeans gave gifts to Ozias; and his fame spread as far as the entering in of Egypt, for he strengthened <i>himself</i> exceedingly.


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And Ozias built towers in Jerusalem, both at the gate of the corners, and at the valley gate, and at the corners and he fortified them.


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And he built towers in the wilderness, and dug many wells, for he had many cattle in the low country and in the plain; and vinedressers in the mountain country and in Carmel: for he was a husbandman.


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And Ozias had a host of warriors, and that went out orderly to war, and returned orderly in number; and their number was <i>made</i> by the hand of Jeiel the scribe, and Maasias the judge, by the hand of Ananias the king's deputy.


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The whole number of the chiefs of families of the mighty men of war <i>was</i> two thousand six hundred;


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and with them was a warrior force, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred: these waged war mightily to help the king against <i>his</i> enemies.


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And Ozias prepared for them, <i>even</i> for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and breastplates, and bows, and slings for stones.


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And he made in Jerusalem machines invented by a wise contriver, to be upon the towers and upon the corners, to cast darts and great stones: and <i>the fame</i> of their preparation was heard at a distance; for he was wonderfully helped, till he was strong.


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And when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction; and he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.


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And there went in after him Azarias the priest, and with him eighty priests of the Lord, mighty men.


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And they withstood Ozias the king, and said to him, <i>It is</i> not for you, Ozias, to burn incense to the Lord, but only for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to sacrifice: go forth of the sanctuary, for you have departed from the Lord; and this shall not be for glory to you from the Lord god.


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And Ozias was angry, and in his hand <i>was</i> the censer to burn incense in the temple: and when he was angry with the priests, then the leprosy rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, over the altar of incense.


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And Azarias the chief priest, and the <i>other</i> priests, turned <i>to look</i> at him, and, behold, he <i>was</i> leprous in his forehead; and they got him hastily out thence, for he also hasted to go out, because the Lord had rebuked him.


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And Ozias the king was a leper to the day of his death, and he lived <i>as</i> a leper in a separate house; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Joathan his son <i>was set</i> over his kingdom, judging the people of the land.


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And the rest of the acts of Ozias, the first and the last, <i>are</i> written by Jessias the prophet.


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And Ozias slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial <i>place</i> of the kings, for they said, He is a leper; and Joatham his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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Joatham <i>was</i> twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name <i>was</i> Jerusa, daughter of Sadoc.


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And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Ozias did: but he went not into the temple of the Lord. And still the people corrupted themselves.


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He fought against the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against him: and the children of Ammon gave him even annually a hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. These the king of the children of Ammon brought to him annually in the first and second and third years.


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And Joatham slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Achaz his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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Achaz was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, as David his father.


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And <i>he sacrificed</i> to their idols in the valley of Benennom, and passed his children through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel.


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And the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and he struck him, and took captive of them a great band of prisoners, and carried him to Damascus. Also <i>God</i> delivered him into the hands of the king of Israel, who struck him with a great slaughter.


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And Phakee the son of Romelias king of Israel, killed in Juda in one day a hundred and twenty thousand mighty men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.


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And Zechri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maasias the king's son, and Ezrican the chief of his house, and Elcana the king's deputy.


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And the children of Israel took captive of their brethren three hundred thousand, women, and sons, and daughters, and they spoiled them of much property, and brought the spoils to Samaria.


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And there was there a prophet of the Lord, his name <i>was</i> Oded: and he went out to meet the host that were coming to Samaria, and said to them, Behold, the wrath of the Lord God of your fathers <i>is</i> upon Juda, and he has delivered them into your hands, and you° have slain them in wrath, and it has reached even to heaven.


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And now you° talk of keeping the children of Juda and Jerusalem for servants and handmaidens. Behold, am I not with you to testify for the Lord your God?


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And now listen to me, and restore the prisoners of your brethren whom you° have taken: for the fierce anger of the Lord <i>is</i> upon you.


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And the chiefs of the sons of Ephraim rose up, Udias the son of Joanas, and Barachias the son of Mosolamoth, and Ezekias the son of Sellem, and Amasias the son of Eldai, against those that came from the war,


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and said to them, You° shall not bring in hither the prisoners to us, for whereas sin against the Lord <i>is</i> upon us, you° mean to add to our sins, and to our trespass: for our sin <i>is</i> great, and the fierce anger of the Lord <i>is</i> upon Israel.


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And the men who were called by name rose up, and took hold of the prisoners, and clothed all the naked from the spoils, and gave them garments and shoes, and gave them <i>food</i> to eat, and <i>oil</i> to anoint themselves <i>with</i>, and they helped also every one that was weak with asses, and placed them in Jericho, the city of palm-trees, with their brethren; and they returned to Samaria.


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Also the Philistines had made an attack on the cities of the plain country, and the cities of the south of Juda, and taken Baethsamys, and <i>the things in the house of the Lord, and the things in the house of the king, and of the princes: and they gave to the king</i> Aelon, and Galero, and Socho and her villages, and Thamna and her villages, and Gamzo and her villages: and they lived there.


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For the Lord humbled Juda because of Achaz king of Juda, because he grievously departed from the Lord.


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And Achaz took the things <i>that were</i> in the house of the Lord, and the things in the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave them to the king of Assyria: but he was no help to him,


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but only <i>troubled him</i> in his affliction: and he departed yet more from the Lord, and king Achaz said,


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I will seek after the gods of Damascus that strike me. And he said, Forasmuch as the gods of the king of Syria themselves strengthen them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, and they will help me. But they became a stumbling block to him, and to all Israel.


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And Achaz removed the vessels of the house of the Lord, and cut them in pieces, and shut the doors of the house of the Lord, and made to himself altars in every corner in Jerusalem:


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and in each several city in Juda he made high places to burn incense to strange gods: and they provoked the Lord God of their fathers.


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And the rest of his acts, and his deeds, the first and the last, behold, <i>they are</i> written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.


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And Achaz slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; for they did not bring him into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Ezekias his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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And Ezekias began to reign at the age of twenty-five years, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Abia, daughter of Zacharias.


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And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.


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And it came to pass, when he was established over his kingdom, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.


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and said to them, Hear, you° Levites: now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and cast out the impurity from the holy places.


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For our fathers have revolted, and done that which was evil before the Lord our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their face from the tabernacle of the Lord, and have turned <i>their</i> back.


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And they have shut up the doors of the temple, and put out the lamps, and have not burnt incense, and have not offered whole burnt offerings in the holy <i>place</i> to the God of Israel.


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And the Lord was very angry with Juda and Jerusalem, and made them an astonishment, and a desolation, and a hissing, as you° see with your eyes.


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And, behold, your fathers have been struck with the sword, and your sons and your daughters and your wives are in captivity in a land not their own, as it is even now.


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Therefore it is now in my heart to make a covenant, a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that he may turn away his fierce wrath from us.


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And now be not lacking <i>to your duty</i>, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him to minister, and to be ministers and burners of incense to him.


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Then the Levites rose up, Maath the son of Amasi, and Joel the son of Azarias, of the sons of Caath: and of the sons of Merari, Kis the son of Abdi, and Azarias the son of Haelel: and of the sons of Gedsoni, Jodaad the son of Zemmath, and Joadam: these <i>were</i> the sons of Joacha.


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And of the sons of Elisaphan; Zambri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zacharias, and Matthanias:


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And they gathered their brethren, and they purified themselves according to the king's command by the order of the Lord, to purify the house of the Lord.


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And the priests entered into the house of the Lord, to purify <i>it</i>, and they cast out all the uncleanness that was found in the house of the Lord, even into the court of the house of the Lord: and the Levites received <i>it</i> to cast into the brook of Kedron without.


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And <i>Ezekias</i> began on the first day, <i>even</i> on the new moon of the first month, to purify, and on the eighth day of the month they entered into the temple of the Lord: and they purified the house of the Lord in eight days; and on the thirteenth day of the first month they finished <i>the work</i>.


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And they went in to king Ezekias, and said, We have purified all the things in the house of the Lord, the altar of whole burnt offering, and its vessels, and the table of show-bread, and its vessels;


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and all the vessels which king Achaz polluted in his reign, in his apostasy, we have prepared and purified: behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.


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And king Ezekias rose early in the morning, and gathered the chief men of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord.


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And he brought seven calves, seven rams, seven lambs, seven kids of goats for a sin-offering, for the kingdom, and for the holy things, and for Israel: and he told the priests the sons of Aaron to go up to the altar of the Lord.


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And they killed the calves, and the priests received the blood, and poured it on the altar: and they killed the rams, and poured the blood upon the altar: also they killed the lambs, and poured the blood round the altar.


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And they brought the goats for a sin-offering before the king and the congregation; and laid their hands upon them.


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And the priests killed them, and offered their blood as a propitiation on the altar; and they made atonement for all Israel: for the king said, The whole burnt offering, and the sin-offering <i>are</i> for all Israel.


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And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, and lutes, and harps, according to the commandment of king David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for by the commandment of the Lord the order <i>was</i> in the hand of the prophets.


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And Ezekias told <i>them</i> to offer up the whole burnt offering on the altar: and when they began to offer the whole burnt offering, they began to sing to the Lord, and the trumpets <i>accompanied</i> the instruments of David king of Israel.


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And all the congregation worshipped, and the psalm-singers <i>were</i> singing, and the trumpets sounding, until the whole burnt sacrifice had been completely offered.


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And when they had done offering <i>it</i>, the king and all that were present bowed, and worshipped.


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And king Ezekias and the princes told the Levites to sing hymns to the Lord in the words of David, and of Asaph the prophet: and they sang hymns with gladness, and fell down and worshipped.


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Then Ezekias answered and said, Now you° have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, bring near and offer sacrifices of praise in the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of the Lord; and every one who was ready in his heart <i>brought</i> whole burnt offerings.


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And the number of the whole burnt offerings which the congregation brought, was seventy calves, a hundred rams, two hundred lambs: all these <i>were</i> for a whole burnt offering to the Lord.


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But the priests were few, and could not flay the whole burnt offering, so their brethren the Levites helped them, until the work was finished, and until the priests had purified themselves: for the Levites <i>more</i> zealously purified <i>themselves</i> than the priests.


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And the whole burnt offering <i>was</i> abundant, with the fat of the complete peace-offering, and the drink-offerings of the whole burnt sacrifice. So the service was established in the house of the Lord.


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And Ezekias and all the people rejoiced, because God has prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.<pb/>


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And Ezekias sent to all Israel and Juda, and wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasse, that they should come into the house of the Lord to Jerusalem, to keep the passover to the Lord God of Israel.


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For the king, and the princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, designed to keep the passover in the second month.


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For they could not keep it at that time, because a sufficient number of priest had not purified themselves, and the people was not gathered to Jerusalem.


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And they established a decree that a proclamation should go through all Israel, from Bersabee to Dan, that they should come and keep the passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem: for the multitude had not done it lately according to the scripture.


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And the posts went with the letters from the king and the princes to all Israel and Juda, according to the command of the king, saying, Children of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraam, and Isaac, and Israel, and bring back them that have escaped <i>even</i> those that were left of the hand of the king of Assyria.


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And be not as your fathers, and your brethren, who revolted from the Lord God of their fathers, and he gave them up to desolation, as you° see.


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And now harden not your hearts, as your fathers <i>did</i>: give glory to the Lord God, and enter into his sanctuary, which he has sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, and he shall turn away <i>his</i> fierce anger from you.


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For when you° turn to the Lord, your brethren and your children shall be pitied before all that have carried them captives, and he will restore <i>you</i> to this land: for the Lord our God is merciful and pitiful, and will not turn away his face from you, if we return to him.


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So the posts went through from city to city in mount Ephraim, and Manasse, and as far as Zabulon: and they as it were laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.


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But the men of Aser, and <i>some</i> of Manasses and of Zabulon, were ashamed, and came to Jerusalem and Juda.


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And the hand of the Lord was <i>present</i> to give them one heart to come, to do according to the commands of the king and of the princes, by the word of the Lord.


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And a great multitude were gathered to Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.


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And they arose, and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all on which they burnt incense to false <i>gods</i> they tore down and cast into the brook Kedron.


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Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites repented, and purified <i>themselves</i>, and brought whole burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.


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And they stood at their post, according to their ordinance, according to the commandment of Moses the man of God: and the priests received the blood from the hand of the Levites.


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For a great part of the congregation was not sanctified; and the Levites were <i>ready</i> to kill the passover for every one who could not sanctify himself to the Lord.


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For the greatest part of the people of Ephraim, and Manasse, and Issachar, and Zabulon, had not purified <i>themselves</i>, but ate the passover contrary to the scripture. On this account also Ezekias prayed concerning them, saying,


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The good Lord be merciful with regard to every heart that sincerely seeks the Lord God of their fathers, and <i>is</i> not <i>purified</i> according to the purification of the sanctuary.


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And the children of Israel who were present in Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great joy; and they continued to sing hymns to the Lord daily, and the priests and the Levites <i>played</i> on instruments to the Lord.


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And Ezekias encouraged all the Levites, and those that had good understanding of the Lord: and they completely kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days, offering peace-offerings, and confessing to the Lord God of their fathers.


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And the congregation purposed together to keep other seven days: and they kept seven days with gladness.


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For Ezekias set apart for Juda, <i>even</i> for the congregation, a thousand calves and seven thousand sheep; and the princes set apart for the people a thousand calves and ten thousand sheep: and the holy things of the priests abundantly.


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And all the congregation, the priests and the Levites, rejoiced, and all the congregation of Juda, and they that were present of Jerusalem, and the strangers that came from the land of Israel, and the dwellers in Juda.


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And there was great joy in Jerusalem: from the days of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not such a feast in Jerusalem.


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Then the priests the Levites rose up and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came into his holy dwelling-place, <i>even</i> into heaven.<pb/>


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And when all these things were finished, all Israel that were found in the cities of Juda went out, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the groves, and tore down the high places and the altars out of all Judea and Benjamin, also of Ephraim and Manasse, till they made an end: and all Israel returned, every one to his inheritance, and to their cities.


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And Ezekias appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, and the courses of each one according to his ministry, to the priests and to the Levites, for the whole burnt offering, and for the peace-offering, and to praise, and to give thanks, and to minister in the gates, <i>and</i> in the courts of the house of the Lord.


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And the king's proportion out of his substance <i>was appointed</i> for the whole burnt offerings, the morning and the evening one, and the whole burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the feasts that were ordered in the law of the Lord.


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And they told the people who lived in Jerusalem, to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be strong in the ministry of the house of the Lord.


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And as he gave the command, Israel brought abundantly first fruits of corn, and wine, and oil, and honey, and every fruit of the field: and the children of Israel and Juda brought tithes of everything abundantly.


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And they that lived in the cities of Juda themselves also brought tithes of calves and sheep, and tithes of goats, and consecrated them to the Lord their God, and they brought them and laid them in heaps.


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And Azarias the priest, the chief over the house of Sadoc, spoke to him, and said, From the time that the first fruits began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and drunk, and left even abundantly; for the Lord has blessed his people, and we have left to this amount.


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And Ezekias told them yet farther to prepare chambers for the house of the Lord; and they prepared <i>them</i>,


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and they brought there the first fruits and the tithes faithfully: and Chonenias the Levite was superintendent over them, and Semei his brother was next.


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and Jeiel, and Ozias, and Naeth, and Asael, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Samachia, and Maath, and Banaias, and his sons, were appointed by Chonenias and Semei his brother, as Ezekias the king, and Azarias who was over the house of the Lord commanded.


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And Core, the <i>son</i> of Jemna the Levite, the porter eastward, <i>was</i> over the gifts, to distribute the first fruits of the Lord, and the most holy things,


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by the hand of Odom, and Benjamin, and Jesus, and Semei, and Amarias, and Sechonias, by the hand of the priests faithfully, to give to their brethren according to the courses, as well to great as small;


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besides the increase of males from three years old and upward, to every one entering into the house of the Lord, <i>a portion</i> according to a daily rate, for service in the daily courses of their order.


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This <i>is</i> the distribution of the priests according to the houses of their families; and the Levites in their daily courses from twenty years old and upward <i>were</i> in <i>their</i> order,


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to assign stations for all the increase of their sons and their daughters, for the whole number: for they faithfully sanctified the holy place.


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As for the sons of Aaron that executed the priests' office, —even those from their cities the men in each several city who were named expressly, —<i>were appointed</i> to give a portion to every male among the priests, and to every one reckoned among the Levites.


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And in every work which he began in service in the house of the Lord, and in the law, and in the ordinances, he sought his God with all his soul, and wrought, and prospered.<pb/>


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And after these things and this faithful dealing, came Sennacherim king of the Assyrians, and he came to Juda, and encamped against the fortified cities, and intended to take them for himself.


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And Ezekias saw that Sennacherim was come, and <i>that</i> his face <i>was set</i> to fight against Jerusalem.


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And he took counsel with his elders and his mighty <i>men</i> to stop the wells of water which were without the city: and they helped him.


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And he collected many people, and stopped the wells of water, and the river that flowed through the city, saying, Lest the king of Assyria come, and find much water, and strengthen <i>himself</i>.


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And Ezekias strengthened <i>himself</i>, and built all the wall that had been pulled down, and the towers, and another wall in front without, and fortified the strong place of the city of David, and prepared arms in abundance.


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And he appointed captains of war over the people, and they were gathered to <i>meet</i> him to the open place of the gate of the valley, and he encouraged them, saying,


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Be strong and courageous, and fear not, neither be dismayed before the King of Assyria, and before all the nation that <i>is</i> with him: for <i>there are</i> more with us than with him.


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With him <i>are</i> arms of flesh; but with us <i>is</i> the Lord our God to save <i>us</i>, and to fight our battle. And the people were encouraged at the words of Ezekias king of Juda.


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And afterward Sennacherim king of the Assyrians sent his servants to Jerusalem; and <i>he went</i> himself against Lachis, and all his army with him, and sent to Ezekias king of Juda, and to all Juda that <i>was</i> in Jerusalem, saying,


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Thus says Sennacherim king of the Assyrians, On what do you° trust, that you° will remain in the siege in Jerusalem?


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Does not Ezekias deceive you, to deliver you to death and famine and thirst, saying, The Lord our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?


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Is not this Ezekias who has taken down his altars and his high places and has spoken to Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem, saying, You° shall worship before this altar and burn incense upon it?


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Know you° not what I and my fathers have done to all the nations of the countries? Could the gods of the nations of all the earth at all rescue their people out of my hand?


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Who is there among all the gods of those nations whom my fathers utterly destroyed, <i>worthy of trust</i>? Could they deliver their people out of my hand, that your God should deliver you out of my hand?


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Now then, let not Ezekias deceive you, and let him not make you thus confident, and believe him not: for no god of any kingdom or nation is at all able to deliver his people out of my hand, or the hand of my fathers: therefore your God shall not deliver you out of my hand.


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And he wrote a letter to reproach the Lord God of Israel, and spoke concerning him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the earth have not delivered their people out of my hand, so the God of Ezekias shall by no means deliver his people out of my hand.


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And he cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language to the people of Jerusalem on the wall, <i>calling them</i> to assist them, and pull down <i>the walls</i>, that they might take the city.


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And he spoke against the God of Jerusalem, even as against the gods of the nations of the earth, the works of the hands of men.


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And king Ezekias and Esaias the prophet the son of Amos prayed concerning these things, and they cried to heaven.


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And the Lord sent an angel, and he destroyed every mighty man and warrior, and leader and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria: and he returned with shame of face to his own land and came into the house of his god: and <i>some</i> of them that came out of his bowels killed him with the sword.


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So the Lord delivered Ezekias and the dwellers in Jerusalem out of the hand of Sennacherim King of Assyria, and out of the hand of all <i>his enemies</i>, and gave them rest round about.


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And many brought gifts to the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Ezekias king of Juda; and he was exalted in the eyes of all the nations after these things.


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In those days Ezekias was sick even to death, and prayed to the Lord: and he listened to him, and gave him a sign.


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But Ezekias did not recompense the Lord according to the return which he made him, but his heart was lifted up: and wrath came upon him, and upon Juda and Jerusalem.


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And Ezekias humbled himself after the exaltation of his heart, he and the dwellers in Jerusalem; and the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Ezekias.


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And Ezekias had wealth and very great glory: and he made for himself treasuries of gold, and silver, and precious stones, also for spices, and stores for arms, and for precious vessels;


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and cities for the produce of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls and mangers for every <i>kind of</i> cattle, and folds for flocks;


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and cities which he built for himself, and store of sheep and oxen in abundance, for the Lord gave him a very great store.


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The same Ezekias stopped up the course of the water of Gion above, and brought the water down straight south of the city of David. And Ezekias prospered in all his works.


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Notwithstanding, in regard to the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who were sent to him to enquire of him <i>concerning</i> the prodigy which came upon the land, the Lord left him, to try him, to know what was in his heart.


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And the rest of the acts of Ezekias, and his kindness, behold, they are written in the prophecy of Esaias the son of Amos the prophet, and in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.


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And Ezekias slept with his fathers, and they buried him in a high place among the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem gave him glory and honor at his death. And Manasses his son reigned in his stead.<pb/>


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And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord destroyed from before the face of the children of Israel.


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And he returned and built the high places, which his father Ezekias had pulled down, and set up images to Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.


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And he built altars in the house of the Lord, concerning which the Lord said, In Jerusalem shall be my name for ever.


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He also passed his children through the fire in the valley of Benennom; and he divined, and used auspices, and sorceries, and appointed those who had divining spirits, and enchanters, and wrought abundant wickedness before the Lord, to provoke him.


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And he set the graven <i>image</i>, the molten <i>statue</i>, the idol which he made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name for ever;


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and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I gave to their fathers, if only they will take heed to do all things which I have commanded them, according to all the law and the ordinances and the judgments <i>given</i> by the hand of Moses.


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So Manasses led astray Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to do evil beyond all the nations which the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel.


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And the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, and they took Manasses in bonds, and bound him in fetters, and brought him to Babylon.


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And when he was afflicted, he sought the face of the Lord his God, and was greatly humbled before the face of the God of his fathers;


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and he prayed to him: and he listened to him, and listened to his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom: and Manasses knew that the Lord he is God.


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And afterward he built a wall without the city of David, from the southwest southward in the valleys and at the entrance through the fish-gate, as men go out by the gate round about, even as far as Opel: and he raised it much, and set captains of the host in all the fortified cities in Juda.


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And he removed the strange gods, and the graven <i>image</i> out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars which he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and without the city.


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And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and offered upon it a sacrifice of peace-offering and thank-offering, and he told Juda to serve the Lord God of Israel.


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And the rest of the acts of Manasses, and his prayer to God, and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of the God of Israel,


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behold, <i>they are</i> in the account of his prayer; and <i>God</i> listened to him. And all his sins, and his backslidings, and the spots on which he built the high places, and set there groves and graven images, before he repented, behold, they are written in the books of the seers.


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And Manasses slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the garden of his house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.


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And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasses did: and Amon sacrificed to all the idols which his father Manasses had made, and served them.


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And he was not humbled before the Lord as his father Manasses was humbled; for his son Amon abounded in transgression.


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And the people of the land killed the men who had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josias his son king in his stead.<pb/>


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And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.


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And in the eighth year of his reign, and he <i>being</i> yet a youth, he began to seek the Lord God of his father David: and in the twelfth year of his reign he began to purge Juda and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the ornaments for the altars, and the molten images.


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And he pulled down the altars of Baalim that were before his face, and the high places that were above them; and he cut down the groves, and the graven images, and broke in pieces the molten images, and reduced them to powder, and cast <i>it</i> upon the surface of the tombs of those who <i>had</i> sacrificed to them.


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And <i>he did so</i> in the cities of Manasse, and Ephraim, and Symeon, and Nephthali, and the places round about them.


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And he pulled down the altars and the groves, and he cut the idols in small pieces, and cut off all the high places from all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.


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And in the eighteenth year of his reign, after having cleansed the land, and the house, he sent Saphan the son of Ezelias, and Maasa prefect of the city, and Juach son of Joachaz his recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.


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And they came to Chelcias the high priest, and gave the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites who kept the gate collected of the hand of Manasse and Ephraim, and of the princes, and of every one that was left in Israel, and of the children of Juda and Benjamin, and of the dwellers in Jerusalem.


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And they gave it into the hand of the workmen, who were appointed in the house of the Lord, and they gave it to the workmen who wrought in the house of the Lord, to repair and strengthen the house.


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They gave <i>it</i> also to the carpenters and builders, to buy squared stones, and timber for beams to cover the houses which the kings of Juda had destroyed.


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And the men <i>were</i> faithfully <i>engaged</i> in the works: and over them were superintendents, Jeth and Abdias, Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zacharias and Mosollam, of the sons of Caath, <i>appointed</i> to oversee; and every Levite, and every one that understood <i>how</i> to play on musical instruments.


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And <i>overseers were</i> over the burden-bearers, and over all the workmen in the respective works; and of the Levites <i>were appointed</i> scribes, and judges, and porters.


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And when they brought forth the money that had been brought into the house of the Lord, Chelcias the priest found a book of the law of the Lord <i>given</i> by the hand of Moses.


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And Chelcias answered and said to Saphan the scribe, I have found a book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Chelcias gave the book to Saphan.


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And Saphan brought in the book to the king, and moreover gave an account to the king, <i>saying, This is</i> all the money given into the hand of your servants that work.


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And they have collected the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and given it into the hand of the overseers, and into the hand of them that do the work.


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And Saphan the scribe brought word to the king, saying, Chelcias the priest has given me a book. And Saphan read it before the king.


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And the king commanded Chelcias, and Achicam the son of Saphan, and Abdom the son of Michaias, and Saphan the scribe, and Asia the servant of the king, saying,


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Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for every one that is left in Israel and Juda, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord <i>which</i> has been kindled among us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of the Lord, to do according to all the things written in this book.


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And Chelcias went, and <i>the others</i> whom the king told, to Olda the prophetess, the wife of Sellem son of Thecoe, son of Aras, who kept the commandments; and she lived in Jerusalem in the second <i>quarter</i>: and they spoke to her accordingly.


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Thus says the Lord, Behold, I bring evil upon this place, <i>even</i> all the words that are written in the book that was read before the king of Juda:


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because they have forsaken me, and burnt incense to strange gods, that they might provoke me by all the works of their hands; and my wrath is kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.


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And concerning the king of Juda, who sent you to seek the Lord, —thus shall you° say to him, Thus says the Lord God of Israel, <i>As for</i> the words which you have heard,


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forasmuch as your heart was ashamed, and you were humbled before me when you heard my words against this place, and against the inhabitants of it, and you were humbled before me, and tore your garments, and wept before me; I also have heard, says the Lord.


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Behold, I <i>will</i> gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not look upon all the evils which I am bringing upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of it. And they brought back word to the king.


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And the king went up to the house of the Lord, <i>he</i> and all Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that were found in the house of the Lord.


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And the king stood at a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk before the Lord, to keep his commandments and testimonies, and his ordinances, with all <i>his</i> heart and with all <i>his</i> soul, so as to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.


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And he caused all that were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand; and the inhabitants of Jerusalem made a covenant in the house of the Lord God of their fathers.


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And Josias removed all the abominations out of the whole land which belonged to the children of Israel, and caused all that were found in Jerusalem and in Israel, to serve the Lord their God all his days: he departed not from following the Lord God of his fathers.<pb/>


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And Josias kept a passover to the Lord his God; and sacrificed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.


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And he appointed the priests at their charges, and encouraged them for the services of the house of the Lord.


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And he told the Levites that were able <i>to act</i> in all Israel, that they should consecrate themselves to the Lord: and they put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built: and the king said, You° must not carry anything on your shoulders: now then minister to the Lord your God, and to his people Israel.


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And prepare yourselves according to the houses of your families, and according to your daily courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and <i>the order</i> by the hand of his son Solomon.


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And stand you° in the house according to the divisions of the houses of your families for your brethren the sons of the people; <i>so</i> also let there be for the Levites a division of the house of their family.


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And kill you° the passover, and prepare <i>it</i> for your brethren, to do according to the word of the Lord, by the hand of Moses.


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And Josias gave as an offering to the children of the people, sheep, and lambs, and kids of the young of the goats, all for the passover, <i>even for</i> all that were found, in number <i>amounting to</i> thirty thousand, and three thousand calves, these <i>were</i> of the substance of the king.


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And his princes gave an offering to the people, and to the priests, and to the Levites: and Chelcias and Zacharias and Jeiel the chief men gave to the priests of the house of God, they even gave for the passover sheep, and lambs, and kids, two thousand six hundred, and three hundred calves.


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And Chonenias, and Banaeas, and Samaeas, and Nathanael his brother, and Asabias, and Jeiel, and Jozabad, heads of the Levites, gave an offering to the Levites for the passover, of five thousand sheep and five hundred calves.


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And the service was duly ordered, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their divisions, according to the command of the king.


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And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hand, and the Levites flayed <i>the victims</i>.


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And they prepared the whole burnt offering to give to them, according to the division by the houses of families, <i>even</i> to the sons of the people, to offer to the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses.


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And thus <i>they did</i> till the morning. And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance; and boiled the holy <i>pieces</i> in copper vessels and caldrons, and <i>the feast</i> went on well, and they quickly served all the children of the people.


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And after they had prepared for themselves and for the priests, for the priests <i>were engaged</i> in offering the whole burnt offerings and the fat until night, then the Levites prepared for themselves, and for their brethren the sons of Aaron.


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And the sons of Asaph the psalm-singers <i>were</i> at their post according to the commands of David, and Asaph, and Aeman, and Idithom, the prophets of the king: also, the chiefs and the porters of the several gates; —it was not for them to stir from the service of the holy things, for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.


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So all the service of the Lord was duly ordered and prepared in that day, for keeping the passover, and offering the whole burnt sacrifices on the altar of the Lord, according to the command of king Josias.


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And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.


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And there was no passover like it in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, or any king of Israel: they kept not such a passover as Josias, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Juda and Israel that were present, and the dwellers in Jerusalem, kept to the Lord.


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In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias this passover was kept, after all these things that Josias did in the house. And king Josias burnt those who had in them a divining spirit, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and the sodomites which were in the land of Juda and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law that were written in the book which Chelcias the priest found in the house of the Lord. There was no <i>king</i> like him before him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, and all his soul, and all his strength, according to all the law of Moses, and after him there rose up none like him. Nevertheless the Lord turned not from the anger of his fierce wrath, wherewith the Lord was greatly angry against Juda, for all the provocations wherewith Manasses provoked him: and the Lord said, I will even remove Juda also from my presence, as I have removed Israel, and I have rejected the city which I chose, <i>even</i> Jerusalem, and thehouse of which I said, My name shall be there.


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And Pharao Nechao king of Egypt went up against the king of the Assyrians to the river Euphrates, and king Josias went to meet him.


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And he sent messengers to him, saying, What have I to do with you, O king of Juda? I am not come today to war against you; and God has told me to hasten: beware of the God that is with me, lest he destroy you.


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However, Josias turned not his face from him, but strengthened himself to fight against him, and listened not to the words of Nechao by the mouth of God, and he came to fight in the plain of Mageddo.


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And the archers shot at king Josias; and the king said to his servants, Take me away, for I am severely wounded.


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And his servants lifted him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot which he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried with his fathers: and all Juda and Jerusalem lamented over Josias.


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And Jeremias mourned over Josias, and all the chief men and chief women uttered a lamentation over Josias until this day: and they made it an ordinance for Israel, and, behold, it is written in the lamentations.


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And his acts, the first and the last, behold, <i>they are</i> written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.<pb/>


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And the people of the land took Joachaz the son of Josias, and anointed him, and made him king over Jerusalem in the room of his father.


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Joachaz <i>was</i> twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Amital, daughter of Jeremias of Lobna. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. And Pharao Nechao bound him in Deblatha in the land of Aemath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem.


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And the king brought him over to Egypt; and imposed a tribute on the land, a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.


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And Pharao Nechao made Eliakim the son of Josias king over Juda in the room of his father Josias, and changed his name <i>to</i> Joakim. And Pharao Nechao took his brother Joachaz and brought him into Egypt, and he died there: but <i>he</i> had given the silver and gold to Pharao. At that time the land began to be taxed to give the money at the command of Pharao; and every one as he could borrowed the silver and the gold of the people of the land, to give to Pharao Nechao.


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Joachim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name <i>was</i> Zechora, daughter of Nerias of Rama. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers did. In his days came Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon into the land, and he served him three years, and <i>then</i> revolted from him. And the Lord sent against them the Chaldeans, and plundering parties of Syrians, and plundering parties of the Moabites, and of the children of Ammon, and of Samaria; but after this they departed, according to the word of the Lord by the hand of his servants the prophets. Nevertheless the wrath of the Lord was upon Juda, so that they should be removed from his presence, because of the sins of Manasses in all that he did, and for the innocent blood which Joakim shed, for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; yet the Lord would not utterly destroy them.


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And Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him with brazen fetters, and carried him away to Babylon.


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And he carried away a part of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple in Babylon.


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And the rest of the acts of Joakim, and all that he did, behold, <i>are</i> not these things written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Juda? And Joakim slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in Ganozae: and Jechonias his son reigned in his stead.


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Jechonias <i>was</i> eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem, and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.


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And at the turn of the year, king Nabuchodonosor sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the precious vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Sedekias his father's brother king over Juda and Jerusalem.


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Sedekias <i>was</i> twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and be reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.


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And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God: he was not ashamed before the prophet Jeremias, nor because of the word of the Lord;


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in that he rebelled against king Nabuchodonosor, which he adjured him by God <i>not to do</i>: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart, so as not to return to the Lord God of Israel.


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And all the great men of Juda, and the priests, and the people of the land transgressed abundantly in the abominations of the heathen, and polluted the house of the Lord which <i>was</i> in Jerusalem.


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And the Lord God of their fathers sent by the hand of his prophets; rising early and sending his messengers, for he spared his people, and his sanctuary.


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Nevertheless they sneered at his messengers, and set at nothing his words, and mocked his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose up against his people, till there was no remedy.


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And he brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, and killed their young men with the sword in the house of his sanctuary, and did not spare Sedekias, and had no mercy upon their virgins, and they led away their old men: he delivered all things into their hands.


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And all the vessels of the house of God, the great and the small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and all the treasures of the king and the great men; he brought all to Babylon.


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And he burnt the house of the Lord, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt its palaces with fire, and <i>utterly destroyed</i> every beautiful vessel.


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And he carried away the remnant to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until <i>the establishment of</i> the kingdom of the Medes.


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That the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, until the land should enjoy its sabbaths in resting <i>and</i> sabbath keeping all the days of its desolation, till the accomplishment of seventy years.


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In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, after the fulfillment of the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians, and told him to make proclamation in writing throughout all his kingdom, saying,


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Thus says Cyrus king of the Persians to all the kingdoms of the earth, The Lord God of heaven has given me <i>power</i>, and he has commanded me to build a house to him in Jerusalem, in Judea. Who <i>is there</i> of you of all his people? His God shall be with him, and let him go up.


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Now in the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians, and he issued a proclamation through all his kingdom, and that in writing, saying,


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Thus said Cyrus king of the Persians, The Lord God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has given me a charge to build him a house in Jerusalem that is in Judea.


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Who <i>is</i> there among you of all his people? for his God shall be with him, and he shall go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea, and let him build the house of the God of Israel: he <i>is</i> the God that is in Jerusalem.


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And <i>let</i> every <i>Jew</i> that is left <i>go</i> from every place where he sojourns, and the men of his place shall help him with silver, and gold, and goods, and cattle, together with the voluntary offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.


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Then the chiefs of the families of Juda and Benjamin arose, and the priests, and the Levites, all whose spirit the Lord stirred up to go up to build the house of the Lord that <i>is</i> in Jerusalem.


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And all that were round about strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with cattle, and with presents, besides the voluntary offerings.


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And king Cyrus brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nabuchodonosor had brought from Jerusalem, and put in the house of his god.


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And Cyrus king of the Persians brought them out by the hand of Mithradates the treasurer, and he numbered them to Sasabasar, the chief man of Juda.


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And this <i>is</i> their number: thirty gold basins, and a thousand silver basins, nine and twenty changes, thirty golden goblets,


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All the gold and silver vessels were five thousand four hundred, <i>even</i> all that went up with Sasabasar from the <i>place of</i> transportation, from Babylon to Jerusalem.<pb/>


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And these <i>are</i> the people of the land that went up, of the number of prisoners who were removed, whom Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away to Babylon, and they returned to Juda and Jerusalem, every man to his city;


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who came with Zorobabel: Jesus, Neemias, Saraias, Reelias, Mardochaeus, Balasan, Masphar, Baguai, Reum, Baana. The number of the people of Israel:


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The children of Phaath Moab, belonging to the sons of Jesue <i>and</i> Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.


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And the priests, the sons of Jedua, <i>belonging to</i> the house of Jesus, <i>were</i> nine hundred and seventy-three.


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The children of the porters, the children of Sellum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Acub, the children of Atita, the children of Sobai, <i>in</i> all a hundred <i>and</i> thirty-nine.


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The children of the servants of Solomon: the children of Sotai, the children of Sephera, the children of Phadura,


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the children of Saphatia, the children of Atil, the children of Phacherath, the children of Aseboim, the children of Emei.


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And these <i>are</i> they that went up from Thelmelech, Thelaresa, Cherub, Hedan, Emmer: and they were not able to tell the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:


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the children of Dalaea, the children of Bua, the children of Tobias, the children of Necoda, six hundred <i>and</i> fifty-two.


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And of the children of the priests, the children of Labeia, the children of Akkus, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughter of Berzellai the Galaadite, and was called by their name.


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These sought their genealogy <i>as though</i> they had been reckoned, but they were not found; and they were removed, <i>as polluted</i>, from the priesthood.


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And the Athersastha told them that they should not eat of the most holy things, until a priest should arise with Lights and Perfections.


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besides their menservants and maidservants, <i>and</i> these were seven thousand three hundred <i>and</i> thirty-seven: and <i>among</i> these were two hundred singing men and singing women.


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Their horses <i>were</i> seven hundred <i>and</i> thirty-six, their mules, two hundred <i>and</i> forty-five.


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Their camels, four hundred <i>and</i> thirty-five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred <i>and</i> twenty.


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And <i>some</i> of the chiefs of families, when they went into the house of the Lord that was in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God, to establish it on its prepared place.


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According to their power they gave into the treasury of the work pure gold sixty-one thousand pieces, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.


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So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nathinim, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.<pb/>


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And the seventh month came on, and the children of Israel <i>were</i> in their cities, and the people assembled as one man at Jerusalem.


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Then stood up Jesus the <i>son</i> of Josedec, and his brethren the priests, and Zorobabel the <i>son</i> of Salathiel, and his brethren, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer upon it whole burnt offerings, according to the things that were written in the law of Moses the man of God.


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And they set up the altar on its place, for there was a terror upon them because of the people of the lands: and the whole burnt offerings was offered up upon it to the Lord morning and evening.


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And they kept the feast of tabernacles, according to that which was written, and <i>offered</i> whole burnt offerings daily in number according to the ordinance, the exact daily rate.


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And after this the perpetual whole burnt offering, and <i>offering</i> for the season of new moon, and for all the hallowed feasts to the Lord, and for every one that offered a free will offering to the Lord.


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On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer whole burnt offerings to the Lord: but the foundation of the house of the Lord was not laid.


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And they gave money to the stone-hewers and carpenters, and meat and drink, and oil, to the Sidonians, and Tyrians, to bring cedar trees from Libanus to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant of Cyrus king of the Persians to them.


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And in the second year of their coming to the house of God in Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zorobabel the <i>son</i> of Salathiel, and Jesus the <i>son</i> of Josedec, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all who came from the captivity to Jerusalem, and they appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, over the workmen in the house of the Lord.


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And Jesus and his sons and his brethren stood, Cadmiel and his sons the sons of Juda, over them that wrought the works in the house of God: the sons of Enadad, their sons and their brethren the Levites.


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And they laid a foundation for building the house of the Lord: and the priests in their robes stood with trumpets and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the order of David king of Israel.


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And they answered <i>each other</i> with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, <i>saying</i>, For <i>it is</i> good, for his mercy to Israel <i>endures</i> for ever. And all the people shouted with a loud voice to praise the Lord at the laying the foundation of the house of the Lord.


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But many of the priests and the Levites, and the elder men, heads of families, who had seen the former house on its foundation, and <i>who saw</i> this house with their eyes, wept with a loud voice: but the multitude shouted with joy to raise a song.


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And the people did not distinguish the voice of the glad shout from the voice of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud voice, and the voice was heard even from afar off.<pb/>


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And they that afflicted Juda and Benjamin heard, that the children of the captivity were building a house to the Lord God of Israel.


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And they drew near to Zorobabel, and to the heads of families, and said to them, We will build with you; for as you° <i>do</i>, we seek <i>to serve</i> our God, and we do sacrifice to him from the days of Asaradan king of Assur, who brought us hither.


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then Zorobabel, and Jesus and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel said to them, <i>It is</i> not for us and you to build a house to our God, for we ourselves will build together to the Lord our God, as Cyrus the king of the Persians commanded us.


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and <i>continued</i> hiring <i>persons</i> against them, plotting to frustrate their counsel, all the days of Cyrus king of the Persians, and until the reign of Darius king of the Persians.


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And in the reign of Assuerus, even in the beginning of his reign, they wrote a letter against the inhabitants of Juda and Jerusalem.


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And in the days of Arthasastha, Tabeel wrote peaceably to Mithradates and to the rest of his fellow-servants: the tribute-gatherer wrote to Arthasastha king of the Persians a writing in the Syrian tongue, and <i>the same</i> interpreted.


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Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe wrote an epistle against Jerusalem to King Arthasastha, <i>saying,</i>


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Thus has judged Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and the rest of our fellow-servants, the Dinaeans, the Apharsathachaeans, the Tarphalaeans, the Apharsaeans, the Archyaeans, the Babylonians, the Susanachaeans, Davaeans,


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and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Assenaphar removed, and settled them in the cities of Somoron, and the rest <i>of them</i> beyond the river.


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This <i>is</i> the purport of the letter, which they sent to him: Your servants the men beyond the river to king Arthasastha.


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Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you to us have come to Jerusalem the rebellious and wicked city, which they are building, and its walls are set in order, and they have established the foundations of it.


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Now then be it known to the king, that if that city be built up, and its walls completed, you shall have no tribute, neither will they pay <i>anything</i>, and this injures kings.


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And it is not lawful for us to see the dishonor of the king: therefore have we sent and made known <i>the matter</i> to the king;


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That examination may be made in your fathers' book of record; and you shall find, and you shall know that city <i>is</i> rebellious, and does harm to kings and countries, and there are in the midst of it from very old time refuges for <i>runaway</i> slaves: therefore this city has been made desolate.


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We therefore declare to the king, that, if that city be built, and its walls be set up, you shall not have peace.


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Then the king sent to Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and the rest of their fellow-servants who lived in Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, <i>saying, </i>Peace; and he says,


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And a decree has been made by me, and we have examined, and found that city of old time exalts itself against kings, and that rebellions and desertions take place within it.


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And there were powerful kings in Jerusalem, and they ruled over all the <i>country</i> beyond the river, and abundant revenues and tribute were given to them.


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<i>See</i> that you° be careful of the decree, <i>not</i> to be remiss concerning this matter, lest at any time destruction should abound to the harm of kings.


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Then the tribute-gatherer of king Arthasastha read <i>the letter</i> before Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and his fellow-servants: and they went in haste to Jerusalem and through Juda, and caused them to cease with horses and an <i>armed</i> force.


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Then ceased the work of the house of God in Jerusalem, and it was at a stand until the second year of the reign of Darius king of the Persians.<pb/>


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And Aggaeus the prophet, and Zacharias the <i>son</i> of Addo, prophesied a prophesy to the Jews in Juda and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, <i>even</i> to them.


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Then rose up Zorobabel the <i>son</i> of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and began to build the house of God that was in Jerusalem: and with them <i>were</i> the prophets of God assisting them.


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At the same time came there upon them Thanthanai, the governor on this side the river, and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants, and spoke thus to them, Who has ordained a decree for you to build this house, and to <i>provide</i> this preparation?


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But the eyes of God were upon the captivity of Juda, and they did not cause them to cease till the decree was brought to Darius; and then was sent by the tribute-gatherer concerning this


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the copy of a letter, which Thanthanai, the governor of the part on this side the river, and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachaeans who were on this side of the river, sent to king Darius.


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Be it known to the king, that we went into the land of Judea, to the house of the great God; and it is building with choice stones, and they are laying timbers in the walls, and that work is prospering, and goes on favorably in their hands.


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Then we asked those elders, and thus we said to them, Who gave you the order to build this house, and to <i>provide</i> this preparation?


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And we asked them their names, <i>in order</i> to declare <i>them</i> to you, so as to write to you the names of their leading men.


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And they answered us thus, saying, We <i>are</i> the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we <i>are</i> building the house which had been built many years before this, and a great king of Israel built it, and established it for them.


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But after that our fathers provoked the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the Chaldean, king of Babylon, and he destroyed this house, and carried the people captive to Babylon.


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And in the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be built.


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And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor brought out from the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried them into the temple of the king, them did king Cyrus bring out from the temple of the king, and gave them to Sabanasar the treasurer, who was over the treasurer;


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and said to him, Take all the vessels, and go, put them in the house that is in Jerusalem in their place.


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Then that Sabanazar came, and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem: and from that time even until now it has been building, and has not been finished.


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And now, if it <i>seem</i> good to the king, lest search be made in the treasure-house of the king at Babylon, that you may know <i>if it be</i> that a decree was made by king Cyrus to build that house of God that was in Jerusalem, and let the king send to us when he has learned concerning this <i>matter</i>.<pb/>


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Then Darius the king made a decree, and caused a search to be made in the record-offices, where the treasure is stored in Babylon.


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In the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the holy house of God that was in Jerusalem, <i>saying, </i>Let the house be built, and the place where they sacrifice the sacrifices. (Also he appointed its elevation, in height sixty cubits; its breadth <i>was</i> of sixty cubits.)


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And <i>let there be</i> three strong layers of stone, and one layer of timber; and the expense shall be paid out of the house of the king.


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And the silver and the gold vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor carried off from the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried to Babylon, let them even be given, and be carried to the temple that is in Jerusalem, and put in the place where they were set in the house of God.


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Now, you° rulers beyond the river, Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachaeans, who <i>are</i> on the other side of the river, give <i>these things</i>, keeping far from that place.


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Now let alone the work of the house of God: let the rulers of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build that house of God on its place.


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Also a decree has been made by me, if haply you° may do somewhat in concert with the elders of the Jews for the building of that house of God: to wit, out of the king's property, <i>even</i> the tributes beyond the river, let there be money to defray the expenses carefully granted to those men, so that they be not hindered.


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And whatever need <i>there may be</i>, you° shall give both the young of bulls and rams, and lambs for whole burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, oil:—let it be given them according to the word of the priests that are in Jerusalem, day by day whatever they shall ask;


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that they may offer sweet savours to the God of heaven, and that they may pray for the life of the king and his sons.


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And a decree has been made by me, that every man who shall alter this word, timber shall be pulled down from his house, and let him be lifted up and slain upon it, and his house shall be confiscated.


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And may the God whose name dwells there, overthrow every king and people who shall stretch out his hand to alter or destroy the house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be diligently <i>attended to</i>.


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Then Thanthanai the governor on this side beyond the river, Satharbuzanai, and his fellow-servants, according to that which king Darius sent, so they did diligently.


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And the elders of the Jews and the Levites built, at the prophecy of Aggaeus the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo: and they built up, and finished <i>it</i>, by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Arthasastha, kings of the Persians.


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And they finished this house by the third day of the month Adar, which is the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.


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And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of the house of God with gladness.


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And they offered for the dedication of the house of God a hundred calves, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, twelve kids of the goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


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And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their separate orders, for the services of God in Jerusalem, according to the writing of the book of Moses.


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For the priests and Levites were purified, all were clean to a man, and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.


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And the children of Israel ate the passover, <i>even</i> they that were of the captivity, and every one who separated himself to them from the uncleanness of the nations of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel.


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and they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with gladness, because the Lord made them glad, and he turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the house of the God of Israel.<pb/>


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Now after these things, in the reign of Arthasastha king of the Persians, came up Esdras the son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Chelcias,


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This Esdras went up out of Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel gave: and the king gave him <i>leave</i>, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him in all things which he sought.


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And <i>some</i> of the children of Israel went up, and <i>some</i> of the priests, and of the Levites, and the singers, and the doorkeepers, and the Nathinim, to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Arthasastha the king.


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For in the first <i>day</i> of the first month he began the going up from Babylon, and in the first day of the fifth month, they came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was upon him.


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For Esdras had determined in his heart to seek the law, and to do and teach the ordinances and judgments in Israel.


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And this <i>is</i> the copy of the order which Arthasastha gave to Esdras the priest, the scribe of the book of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his ordinances to Israel.


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Arthasastha, king of kings, to Esdras, the scribe of the law of the Lord God of heaven, Let the order and the answer be accomplished.


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A decree is made by me, that every one who is willing in my kingdom of the people of Israel, and of the priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, <i>be permitted</i> to go with you.


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<i>One</i> has been sent from the king and the seven councillors, to visit Judea and Jerusalem, according to the law of their God that is in your hand.


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And for the house of the Lord <i>there have been sent</i> silver and gold, which the king and the councillors have freely given to the God of Israel, who dwells in Jerusalem.


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And all the silver and gold, whatever you shall find in all the land of Babylon, with the free will offering of the people, and the priests that offer freely for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.


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And as for every one that arrives <i>there</i>, speedily order him by this letter <i>to bring</i> calves, rams, lambs, and their meat-offerings, and their drink-offerings; and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.


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And whatever it shall seem good to you and to your brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do as it is pleasing to your God.


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And deliver the vessels that are given you for the service of the house of God, before God in Jerusalem.


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And as to the rest of the need of the house of your God, you shall give from the king's treasure-houses,


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and from me, whatever it shall seem <i>good</i> to you to give. I king Arthasastha have made a decree for all the treasuries that are in the <i>country</i> beyond the river, that whatever Esdras the priest and scribe of the God of heaven may ask you, it shall be done speedily,


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to <i>the amount of</i> a hundred talents of silver, and a hundred measures of wheat, and a hundred baths of wine, and a hundred baths of oil, and salt without reckoning.


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Let whatever is in the decree of the God of heaven, be done: take heed lest any one make an attack on the house of the God of heaven, lest at any time there shall be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons.


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Also this has been declared to you, with respect to all the priests, and Levites, the singers, porters, Nathinim and ministers of the house of God, let no tribute be <i>paid</i> to you; you shall not have power to oppress them.


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And you, Esdras, as the wisdom of God <i>is</i> in your hand, appoint scribes and judges, that they may judge for all the people beyond the river, all that know the law of the Lord your God; and you° shall make it known to him that knows not.


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And whoever shall not do the law of God, and the law of the king readily, judgment shall be taken upon him, whether for death or for chastisement, or for a fine of his property, or casting into prison.


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Blessed <i>be</i> the Lord God of our fathers, who has put it thus into the heart of the king, to glorify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem;


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and has given me favor in the eyes of the king, and of his councillors, and all the rulers of the king, the exalted ones. And I was strengthened according to the good hand of God upon me, and I gathered chief men of Israel to go up with me.<pb/>


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And these <i>are</i> the heads of their families, the leaders that went up with me in the reign of Arthasastha the king of Babylon.


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Of the sons of Sachania, and the sons of Phoros; Zacharias: and with him a company <i>of</i> a hundred and fifty.


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And of the sons of Adonicam <i>were the</i> last, and these <i>were</i> their names, Eliphalat, Jeel, and Samaea, and with them sixty males.


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And I gathered them to the river that comes to Evi, and we encamped there three days: and I reviewed the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there.


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And I sent men of understanding to Eleazar, to Ariel, to Semeias, and to Alonam, and to Jarib, and to Elnatham, and to Nathan, and to Zacharias, and to Mesollam, and to Joarim, and to Elnathan.


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And I forwarded them to the rulers with the money of the place, and I put words in their mouth to speak to their brethren the Athinim with the money of the place, that they should bring us singers for the house of our God.


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And they came to us, as the good hand of our God was upon us, even a man of understanding of the sons of Mooli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, and at the commencement came his sons and his brethren, eighteen.


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And of the Nathinim; whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites <i>there were</i> two hundred and twenty Nathinim; all were gathered by <i>their</i> names.


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And I proclaimed there a fast, at the river Aue, that <i>we</i> should humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our children, and for all our property.


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For I was ashamed to ask of the king a guard and horsemen to save us from the enemy in the way: for we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God <i>is</i> upon all that seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath <i>are</i> upon all that forsake him.


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And I gave charge to twelve of the chiefs of the priests, to Saraia, to Asabia, and ten of their brethren with them.


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And I weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of the first fruits of the house of our God, which the king, and his councillors, and his princes, and all Israel that were found, had dedicated.


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I even weighed into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred silver vessels, and a hundred talents of gold;


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and twenty golden bowls, <i>weighing</i> about a thousand drachmas, and superior vessels of fine shining brass, <i>precious</i> as gold.


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And I said to them, You° <i>are</i> holy to the Lord; and the vessels <i>are</i> holy; and the silver and the gold are free will offerings to the Lord God of our fathers.


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Be watchful and keep them, until you° weigh <i>them</i> before the chief priests and the Levites, and the chiefs of families in Jerusalem, at the chambers of the house of the Lord.


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So the priests and the Levites took the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring to Jerusalem into the house of our God.


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And we departed from the river of Aue on the twelfth day of the first month, to come to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and delivered us from the hand of the enemy and adversary in the way.


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And it came to pass on the fourth day that we weighed the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, in the house of our God, into the hand of Merimoth the son of Uria the priest; and with him <i>was</i> Eleazar the son of Phinees, and with them Jozabad the son of Jesus, and Noadia the son of Banaia, the Levites.


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At that time the children of the banishment that came from the captivity offered whole burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve calves for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, twelve goats for a sin-offering; all whole burnt offerings to the Lord.


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And they gave the king's mandate to the king's lieutenants, and the governors beyond the river: and they honored the people and the house of God.<pb/>


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And when these things were finished, the princes drew near to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands in their abominations, <i>even</i> the Chananite, the Ethite, the Pherezite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, and the Moserite and the Amorite.


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For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and their sons; and the holy seed has passed among the nations of the lands, and the hand of the rulers <i>has been</i> first in this transgression.


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And when I heard this thing, I tore my garments, and trembled, and plucked <i>some</i> of the hairs of my head and of my beard, and sat down mourning.


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Then there assembled to me all that followed the word of the God of Israel, on account of the transgression of the captivity; and I remained mourning until the evening sacrifice.


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And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my humiliation; and when I had torn my garments, then I trembled, and I bowed myself on my knees, and spread out my hands to the Lord God,


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and I said, O Lord, I am ashamed and confounded, O my God, to lift up my face to you: for our transgressions have abounded over our head, and our trespasses have increased even to heaven.


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From the days of our fathers we have been in a great trespass until this day: and because of our iniquities we, and our kings, and our children, have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the Gentiles by the sword, and by captivity, and by spoil, and with shame of our face, as at this day.


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And now our God has dealt mercifully with us, so as to leave us to escape, and to give us an establishment in the place of his sanctuary, to enlighten our eyes, and to give a little quickening in our servitude.


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For we are slaves, yet in our servitude the Lord our God has not deserted us; and he has extended favor to us in the sight of the kings of the Persians, to give us a quickening, that they should raise up the house of our God, and restore the desolate places of it, and to give us a fence in Juda and Jerusalem.


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which you have given us by the hand of your servants the prophets, saying, The land, into which you° go to inherit it, is a land subject to disturbance by the removal of the people of the nations for their abominations, wherewith they have filled it from one end to the other by their uncleanness.


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And now give not your daughters to their sons, and take not of their daughters for your sons, neither shall you° seek their peace or their good for ever: that you° may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and transmit it as an inheritance to your children for ever.


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And after all that is come upon us because of our evil deeds, and our great trespass, <i>it is clear</i> that there is none such as our God, for you have lightly visited our iniquities, and given us deliverance;


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whereas we have repeatedly broken your commandments, and intermarried with the people of the lands: be not very angry with us to <i>our</i> utter destruction, so that there should be no remnant or escaping one.


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O Lord God of Israel, you <i>are</i> righteous; for we remain an escaped remnant, as at this day: behold, we <i>are</i> before you in our trespasses: for we can’t stand before you on this account.<pb/>


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So when Esdras <i>had</i> prayed, and when he <i>had</i> confessed, weeping and praying before the house of God, a very great assembly of Israel came together to him, men and women and youths; for the people wept, and wept aloud.


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And Sechenias the son of Jeel, of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Esdras, We have broken covenant with our God, and have taken strange wives of the nations of the land: yet now there is patience <i>of hope</i> to Israel concerning this thing.


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Now then let us make a covenant with our God, to put away all the wives, and their offspring, as you shall advise:


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arise, and alarm them with the commands of our God; and let <i>it</i> be done according to the law. Rise up, for the matter <i>is</i> upon you; and we <i>are</i> with you: be strong and do.


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Then Esdras arose, and caused the rulers, the priests, and Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word: and they swore.


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And Esdras rose up from before the house of God, and went to the treasury of Joanan the son of Elisub; he even went there: he ate no bread, and drank no water; for he mourned over the unfaithfulness <i>of them</i> of the captivity.


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And they made proclamation throughout Juda and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should assemble at Jerusalem, <i>saying</i>,


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Every one who shall not arrive within three days, as <i>is</i> the counsel of the rulers and the elders, all his substance shall be forfeited, and he shall be separated from the congregation of the captivity.


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So all the men of Juda and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. This <i>was</i> the ninth month: on the twentieth day of the month all the people sat down in the street of the house of the Lord, because of their alarm concerning the word, and because of the storm.


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And Esdras the priest arose, and said to them, You° have broken covenant, and have taken strange wives, to add to the trespass of Israel.


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Now therefore give praise to the Lord God of our fathers, and do that which is pleasing in his sight: and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the strange wives.


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But the people are numerous, and the season <i>is</i> stormy, and there is no power to stand without, and the work is more than enough for one day or for two; for we have greatly sinned in this matter.


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Let now our rulers stand, and for all those in our cities who have taken strange wives, let them come at appointed times, and with them elders from every several city, and judges, to turn away the fierce wrath of our God from us concerning this matter.


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Only Jonathan the son of Asael, and Jazias the son of Thecoe <i>were</i> with me concerning this; and Mesollam, and Sabbathai the Levite helped them.


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And the children of the captivity did thus: and Esdras the priest, and heads of families according to <i>their</i> house were separated, and all by their names, for they returned in the first day of the tenth month to search out the matter.


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And they made an end with all the men who had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.


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And there were found <i>some</i> of the sons of the priests who had taken strange wives: of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Maasia, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gadalia.


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And they pledged themselves to put away their wives, and <i>offered</i> a ram of the flock for a trespass-offering because of their trespass.


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And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Samu, and Colia (he <i>is</i> Colitas,) and Phetheia, and Judas, and Eliezer.


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Also of Israel: of the sons of Phoros; Ramia, and Azia, and Melchia, and Meamin, and Eleazar, and Asabia, and Banaia.


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And of the sons of Phaath Moab; Edne, and Chalel, and Banaia, Maasia, Matthania, Beseleel, and Banui, and Manasse.


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The words of Neemias the son of Chelcia. And it came to pass in the month Chaseleu, of the twentieth year, that I was in Susan the palace.


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And Anani, one of my brethren, came, he and <i>some</i> men of Juda; and I asked them concerning those that had escaped, who had been left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.


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And they said to me, The remnant, <i>even</i> those that are left of the captivity, <i>are</i> there in the land, in great distress and reproach: and the walls of Jerusalem <i>are</i> thrown down, and its gates are burnt with fire.


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And it came to pass, when I heard these words, <i>that</i> I sat down and wept, and mourned for <i>several</i> days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.


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And I said, Nay, I pray you, O Lord God of heaven, the mighty, the great and terrible, keeping your covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to those that keep his commandments:


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let now your ear be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, this day <i>both</i> day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and make confession for the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and the house of my father have sinned.


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We have altogether broken <i>covenant</i> with you, and we have not kept the commandments, and the ordinances, and the judgments, which you did command your servant Moses.


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Remember, I pray you, the word wherewith you did charge your servant Moses, saying, If you° break covenant <i>with me</i>, I will disperse you among the nations.


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But if you° turn again to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; if you° should be scattered under the utmost <i>bound</i> of heaven, thence will I gather them, and I will bring them into the place which I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there.


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Now they <i>are</i> your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed with your great power, and with your strong hand.


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<i>Turn</i> not <i>away</i>, I pray you, O Lord, but let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear your name: and prosper, I pray you, your servant this day, and cause him to find mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was the king's cupbearer.<pb/>


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And it came to pass in the month Nisan of the twentieth year of king Arthasastha, that the wine was before me: and I took the wine, and gave <i>it</i> to the king: and there was not another before him.


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And the king said to me, Why is your countenance sad, and do you not control yourself? and now this is nothing but sorrow of heart. Then I was very much alarmed,


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and I said to the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be said, forasmuch as the city, even the home of the sepulchres of my fathers, has been laid waste, and her gates have been devoured with fire?


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And I said to the king, If <i>it seem</i> good to the king, and if your servant shall have found favor in your sight, <i>I ask</i> that <i>you</i> would send him into Juda, to the city of the sepulchres of my fathers; then will I rebuild it.


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And the king, and his concubine that sat next to him, said to me, For how long will your journey be, and when will you return? and <i>the proposal</i> was pleasing before the king, and he sent me away, and I appointed him a time.


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And I said to the king, If <i>it seem</i> good to the king, let him give me letters to the governors beyond the river, so as to forward me till I come to Juda;


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and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the garden which belongs to the king, that he may give me timber to cover the gates, and for the wall of the city, and for the house into which I shall enter. And the king gave to me, according as the good hand of God <i>was upon me</i>.


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And I came to the governors beyond the river, and I gave them the king's letters. (Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.)


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And Sanaballat the Aronite heard <i>it</i>, and Tobia the servant, the Ammonite, and it was grievous to them that a man was come to seek good for the children of Israel.


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And I rose up by night, I and a few men with me; and I told no man what God put into my heart to do with Israel; and there was no beast with me, except the beast which I rode upon.


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And I went forth by the gate of the valley by night, and to the mouth of the well of fig trees, and to the dung-gate: and I mourned over the wall of Jerusalem which they were destroying, and her gates were devoured with fire.


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And I passed on to the fountain gate, and to the king's pool; and there was no room for the beast to pass under me.


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And I went up by the wall of the brook by night, and mourned over the wall, and passed through the gate of the valley, and returned.


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And the sentinels knew not why I went, nor what I was doing; and until that time I told <i>it</i> not to the Jews, or to the priests, or to the nobles, or to the captains, or to the rest <i>of the men</i> who wrought the works.


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Then I said to them, You° see this evil, in which we are, how Jerusalem is desolate, and her gates have been set on fire: come, and let us build throughout the wall of Jerusalem, and we shall be no longer a reproach.


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And I told them of the hand of God which was good upon me, also about the words of the king which he spoke to me: and I said, Let us arise and build. And their hands were strengthened for the good <i>work</i>.


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And Sanaballat the Aronite, and Tobia the servant, the Ammonite, and Gesam the Arabian, heard <i>it</i>, and they laughed us to scorn, and came to us, and said, What <i>is</i> this thing that you° are doing? are you° revolting against the king?


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And I answered them, and said to them, The God of heaven, he shall prosper us, and we his servants are pure, and we will build: but you° have no part, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.<pb/>


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Then Eliasub the high priest, and his brethren the priests, rose up, and built the sheep-gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of the hundred they sanctified <i>it</i>, to the tower of Anameel.


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And <i>they builded</i> by the side of the men of Jericho, and by the side of the sons of Zacchur, the son of Amari.


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And the sons of Asana built the fish-gate; they roofed it, and covered in its doors, and bolts, and bars.


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And next to them <i>the order</i> reached to Ramoth the son of Uria, the son of Accos, and next to them Mosollam son of Barachias the son of Mazebel took <i>his</i> place: and next to them Sadoc the son of Baana took <i>his</i> place.


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And next to them the Thecoim took <i>their</i> place; but the Adorim applied not their neck to their service.


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And Joida the son of Phasec, and Mesulam son of Basodia, repaired the old gate; they covered it in, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars.


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And next to them repaired Maltias the Gabaonite, and Evaron the Meronothite, the men of Gabaon and Maspha, to the throne of the governor on this side the river.


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And next to him Oziel the son of Arachias of the smiths, carried on the repairs: and next to them Ananias the son of one of the apothecaries repaired, and they finished Jerusalem to the broad wall.


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And next to them repaired Raphaea the son of Sur, the ruler of half the district round about Jerusalem.


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And next to them repaired Jedaia the son of Eromaph, and <i>that</i> in front of his house: and next to him repaired Attuth son of Asabania.


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And next <i>to him</i> repaired Melchias son of Heram, and Asub son of Phaat Moab, even to the tower of the furnaces.


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And next to him repaired Sallum the son of Alloes, the ruler of half the district round about Jerusalem, he and his daughters.


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Anun and the inhabitants of Zano repaired the gate of the valley: they built it, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars, and a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the dung-gate.


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And Melchia the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district round about Beth-accharim, repaired the dung-gate, he and his sons; and they covered it, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars.


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But Solomon the son of Choleze repaired the gate of the fountain, the ruler of part of Maspha; he built it, and covered it, and set up its doors and its bars, and the wall of the pool of the skins by the meadow of the king, and as far as the steps that lead down from the city of David.


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After him repaired Neemias son of Azabuch, ruler of half the district round about Bethsur, as far as the garden of David's sepulchre, and as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men.


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After him repaired the Levites, <i>even</i> Raum the son of Bani: next to him repaired Asabia, ruler of half the district round about Keila, in his district.


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And after him repaired his brethren, Benei son of Enadad, ruler of half the district round about Keila.


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And next to him repaired Azur the son of Joshua, ruler of Masphai, another portion of the tower of ascent, where it meets the corner.


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After him repaired Baruch the son of Zabu, a second portion, from the corner as far as the door of the house of Eliasub the high priest.


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After him repaired Meramoth the son of Uria the son of Accos, a second part from the door of the house of Eliasub, to the end of the house of Eliasub.


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And after him repaired Benjamin and Asub over against their house: and after him repaired Azarias son of Maasias the son of Ananias, <i>the parts</i> near to his house.


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After him repaired Bani the son of Adad, another portion from the house of Azaria as far as the corner and to the turning,


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of Phalach the son of Uzai, opposite the corner, and <i>where is</i> also the tower that projects from the king's house, even the upper one of the prison-house: and after him <i>repaired</i> Phadaea the son of Phoros.


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And the Nathinim lived in Ophal, as far as the garden of the water-gate eastward, and <i>there is</i> the projecting tower.


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And after them the Thecoim repaired, another portion opposite the great projecting tower, even as far as the wall of Ophla.


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And after him Sadduc the son of Emmer repaired opposite his own house: and after him repaired Samaea son of Sechenia, guard of the east-gate.


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After him repaired Anania son of Selemia, and Anom, the sixth son of Seleph, another portion: after him Mesulam the son of Barachia repaired over against his treasury.


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After him repaired Melchia the son of Sarephi as far as the house of the Nathinim, and the chapmen over against the gate of Maphecad, and as far as the steps of the corner.


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Now it came to pass, when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall, that it was grievous to him, and he was very angry, and railed against the Jews.


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And he said before his brethren (that <i>is</i> the army of the Samaritans) <i>Is it true</i> that these Jews are building their city? do they indeed offer sacrifices? will they prevail? and will they this day restore the stones, after they have been burnt and made a heap of rubbish?


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And Tobias the Ammanite came near to him, and said to them, Do they sacrifice or eat in their place? shall not a fox go up and pull down their wall of stones?


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Hear, O our God, for we have become a scorn; and return you their reproach upon their head, and make them a scorn in a land of captivity,


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But it came to pass, when Sanaballat and Tobia, and the Arabians, and the Ammanites, heard that the building of the walls of Jerusalem was advancing, <i>and</i> that the breaches began to be stopped, that it appeared very grievous to them.


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And Juda said, The strength of the enemies is broken, yet <i>there is</i> much rubbish, and we shall not be able to build the wall.


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And they that afflicted us said, They shall not know, and they shall not see, until we come into the midst of them, and kill them, and cause the work to cease.


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And it came to pass, when the Jews who lived near them came, that they said to us, They are coming up against us from every quarter.


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So I set <i>men</i> in the lowest part of the place behind the wall in the lurking-places, I even set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.


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And I looked, and arose, and said to the nobles, and to the captains, and to the rest of the people, Be not afraid of them: remember our great and terrible God, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.


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And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was made known to us, and God had frustrated their counsel, that we all returned to the wall, <i>every</i> man to his work.


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And it came to pass from that day <i>that</i> half of them that had been driven forth, wrought the work, and half of them kept guard; and <i>there were</i> spears, and shields, and bows, and breastplates, and rulers behind the whole house of Juda,


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even of them that were building the wall:—and those who carried the burdens <i>were</i> under arms: <i>each</i> with one hand wrought his work, and with the other held his dart.


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And the builders <i>wrought</i> each man having his sword girded upon his loins, and so they built: and the trumpeter with his trumpet next to him.


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And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work <i>is</i> great and abundant, and we are dispersed upon the wall, each at a great distance from his brother.


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In whatever place you° shall hear the sound of the cornet, there gather yourselves together to us; and our God shall fight for us.


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So we <i>continued</i> laboring at the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning until the stars appeared.


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And at that time I said to the people, Lodge you° every man with his servant in the midst of Jerusalem, and let the night be a watch-time to you, and the day a work-time.


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And I was <i>there</i>, and the watchmen behind me, and there was not a man of us that put off his garments.<pb/>


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And some said, We <i>are</i> numerous with our sons and our daughters; so we will take corn, and eat, and live.


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And some said, <i>As to</i> our fields and vineyards and houses, let us pledge <i>them</i>, and we will take corn, and eat.


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And some said, We have borrowed money for the king's tributes:—our fields, and our vineyards, and houses <i>are pledged</i>.


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And now our flesh <i>is</i> as the flesh of our brethren, our children <i>are</i> as their children: yet, behold, we are reducing our sons and our daughters to slavery, and some of our daughters are enslaved: and there is no power of our hands, for our fields and our vineyards <i>belong</i> to the nobles.


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And my heart took counsel within me, and I contended against the nobles, and the princes, and I said to them, Should every man demand of his brother what you° demand? And I appointed against them a great assembly,


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and I said to them, We of our free-will have redeemed our brethren the Jews that were sold to the Gentiles; and do you° sell your brethren? and shall they be delivered to us? And they were silent, and found no answer.


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And I said, The thing which you° do <i>is</i> not good; you° will not so walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the Gentiles our enemies.


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Both my brethren, and my acquaintances, and I, have lent them money and corn: let us now leave off this exaction.


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Restore to them, I pray, as at this day, their fields, and their vineyards, and their olive yards, and their houses, and bring forth to them corn and wine and oil of the money.


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And they said, We will restore, and we will not exact of them; we will do thus as you say. Then I called the priests, and bound them by oath to do according to this word.


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And I shook out my garment, and said, So may God shake out every man who shall not keep to this word, from his house, and from his labors, he shall be even thus shaken out, as an outcast and empty. And all the congregation said, Amen, and they praised the Lord: and the people did this thing.


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From the day that he charged me to be their ruler in the land of Juda, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Arthasastha, twelve years, I and my brethren ate not <i>provision</i> extorted from them.


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But as for the former acts of extortion wherein <i>those who were</i> before me oppressed them, they even took of them their last money, forty didrachmas for bread and wine; and the <i>very</i> outcasts of them exercised authority over the people: but I did not so, because of the fear of God.


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Also in the work of the wall I treated them not with rigor, I bought not land: and all that were gathered together <i>came</i> there to the work.


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And the Jews, to <i>the number of</i> a hundred and fifty men, besides those coming to us from the nations round about, <i>were</i> at my table.


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And there came <i>to me</i> for one day one calf, and I had six choice sheep and a goat; and every ten days wine in abundance of all sorts: yet with these I required not the bread of extortion, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.


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Now it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gesam the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and <i>that</i> there was no opening left therein; (<i>but</i> hitherto I had not set up the doors on the gates;)


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that Sanaballat and Gesam sent to me, saying, Come and let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono. But they <i>were</i> plotting to do me mischief.


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So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I shall not be able to come down, lest the work should cease: as soon as I shall have finished it, I will come down to you.


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And in it was written, It has been reported among the Gentiles that you and the Jews are planning to revolt: therefore you are building the wall, and you will be a king to them.


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And moreover you have appointed prophets to yourself, that you might dwell in Jerusalem as a king over Juda: and now these words will be reported to the king. Now then, come, let us take counsel together.


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And I sent to him, saying, It has not happened according to these words, <i>even</i> as you say, for you frame them falsely out of your heart.


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For all were trying to alarm us, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from this work, and it shall not be done. Now therefore I have strengthened my hands.


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And I came into the house of Semei the son of Dalaia the Son of Metabeel, and he was shut up; and he said, Let us assemble together in the house of God, in the midst of it, and let us shut the doors of it; for they are coming by night to kill you.


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And I observed, and, behold, God had not sent him, for the prophecy was a fable <i>devised</i> against me:


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and Tobias and Sanaballat had hired against me a multitude, that I might be frightened, and do this, and sin, and become to them an ill name, that they might reproach me.


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Remember, O God, Tobias and Sanaballat, according to these their deeds, and the prophetess Noadia, and the rest of the prophets who tried to alarm me.


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And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard <i>of it</i>, that all the nations round about us feared, and great alarm fell upon them, and they knew that it was of our God that this work should be finished.


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And in those days letters came to Tobias from many nobles of Juda, and those of Tobias came to them.


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For many in Juda were bound to him by oath, because he was son-in-law of Sechenias the son of Herae; and Jonan his son had taken the daughter of Mesulam the son of Barachia to wife.


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And they reported his words to me, and carried out my words to him: and Tobias sent letters to terrify me.<pb/>


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And it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,


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that I gave charge to Ananias my brother, and Ananias the ruler of the palace, over Jerusalem: for he was a true man, and one that feared God beyond many.


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And I said to them, The gates of Jerusalem shall not be opened till sunrise; and while they are still watching, let the doors be shut, and bolted; and set watches of them that dwell in Jerusalem, <i>every</i> man at his post, and <i>every</i> man over against his house.


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Now the city <i>was</i> wide and large; and the people <i>were</i> few in it, and the houses were not built.


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And God put <i>it</i> into my heart, and I gathered the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, into companies: and I found a register of the company that came up first, and I found written in it as follows:


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Now these <i>are</i> the children of the country, that came up from captivity, of the number which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away, and they returned to Jerusalem and to Juda, <i>every</i> man to his city;


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with Zorobabel, and Jesus, and Neemia, Azaria, and Reelma, Naemani, Mardochaeus, Balsan, Maspharath, Esdra, Boguia, Inaum, Baana, Masphar, men of the people of Israel.


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The children of Phaath Moab, with the children of Jesus and Joab, two thousand six hundred and eighteen.


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The priests; the sons of Jodae, <i>pertaining</i> to the house of Jesus, nine hundred and seventy-three.


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The porters; the children of Salum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Acub, the children of Atita, the children of Sabi, a hundred and thirty-eight.


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The children of the servants of Solomon; the children of Sutei, the children of Sapharat, the children of Pherida,


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the children of Saphatia, the children of Ettel, the children of Phacarath, the children of Sabaim, the children of Emim.


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All the Nathinim, and children of the servants of Solomon, <i>were</i> three hundred and ninety-two.


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And these went up from Thelmeleth, Thelaresa, Charub, Eron, Jemer: but they could not declare the houses of their families, or their seed, whether they were of Israel.


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And of the priests; the children of Ebia, the children of Acos, the children of Berzelli, for they took wives of the daughters of Berzelli the Galaadite, and they were called by their name.


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These sought the pedigree of their company, and it was not found, and they were removed <i>as polluted</i> from the priesthood.


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And the Athersastha said, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until a priest should stand up to give light.


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And part of the heads of families gave into the treasury to Neemias for the work a thousand pieces of gold, fifty bowls, and thirty priests' <i>garments</i>.


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And <i>some</i> of the heads of families gave into the treasuries of the work, twenty thousand pieces of gold, and two thousand three hundred pounds of silver.


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And the rest of the people gave twenty thousand pieces of gold, and two thousand two hundred pounds of silver, and sixty-seven priests' <i>garments</i>.


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And the priests, and Levites, and porters, and singers, and <i>some</i> of the people, and the Nathinim, and all Israel, lived in their cities.<pb/>


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And the seventh month arrived, and the children of Israel <i>were settled</i> in their cities; and all the people were gathered as one man to the broad place before the water-gate, and they told Esdras the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord commanded Israel.


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So Esdras the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and every one who had understanding <i>was present</i> to listen, on the first day of the seventh month.


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And he read in it from the time of sunrise to the middle of the day, before the men and the women; and they understood <i>it</i>, and the ears of all the people <i>were attentive</i> to the book of the law.


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And Esdras the scribe stood on a wooden stage, and there stood next to him Mattathias, and Samaeas, and Ananias, and Urias, and Chelcia, and Massia, on his right hand; and on his left Phadaeas, and Misael, and Melchias, and Asom, and Asabadma, and Zacharias, and Mesollam.


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And Esdras opened the book before all the people, for he was above the people; and it came to pass when he had opened it, <i>that</i> all the people stood.


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And Esdras blessed the Lord, the great God: and all the people answered, and said, Amen, lifting up their hands: and they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their face to the ground.


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And Jesus and Banaias and Sarabias instructed the people in the law, and the people <i>stood</i> in their place.


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And they read in the book of the law of God, and Esdras taught, and instructed them distinctly in the knowledge of the Lord, and the people understood <i>the law</i> in the reading.


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And Neemias, and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites, and they that instructed the people, spoke and said to all the people, It is a holy day to the Lord our God; do not mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.


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And <i>the governor</i> said to them, Go, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them that have nothing; for the day is holy to our Lord: and faint not, for the Lord is our strength.


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And the Levites caused all the people to be silent, saying, Be silent, for <i>it is</i> a holy day, and despond not.


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So all the people departed to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, for they understood the words which he made known to them.


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And on the second day the heads of families assembled with all the people, <i>also</i> the priests and Levites, to Esdras the scribe, to attend to all the words of the law.


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And they found written in the law which the Lord commanded Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths, in the feast in the seventh month:


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and that they should sound with trumpets in all their cities, and in Jerusalem. And Esdras said, Go forth to the mountain, and bring branches of olive, and branches of cypress trees, and branches of myrtle, and branches of palm trees, and branches of <i>every</i> thick tree, to make booths, according to that which was written.


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And the people went forth, and brought <i>them</i>, and made booths for themselves, each one upon his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the streets of the city, and as far as the gate of Ephraim.


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And all the congregation who had returned from the captivity, made booths, and lived in booths: for the children of Israel <i>had</i> not done so from the days of Jesus the son of Naue until that day: and there was great joy.


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And <i>Esdras</i> read in the book of the law of God daily, from the first day even to the last day: and they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.<pb/>


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Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel assembled with fasting, and in sackcloths, and with ashes on their head.


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And the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.


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And they stood in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their god: and they confessed <i>their sins</i> to the Lord, and worshipped the Lord their God.


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<i>And</i> there stood upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jesus, and the sons of Cadmiel, Sechenia the son of Sarabia, sons of Choneni; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God.


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And the Levites, Jesus and Cadmiel, said, Rise up, bless the Lord our God forever and ever: and let them bless your glorious name, and exalt it with all blessing and praise.


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And Esdras said, You are the only true Lord; you made the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, and all their array, the earth, and all things that are in it, the seas, and all things in them; and you quicken all things, and the hosts of heaven worship you.


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You are the Lord God, you did choose Abram, and brought him out of the land of the Chaldeans, and gave him the name of Abraam:


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and you found his heart faithful before you, and did make a covenant with him to give to him and to his seed the land of the Chananites, and the Chettites, and Amorites, and Pherezites, and Jebusites, and Gergesites; and you have confirmed your words, for you <i>are</i> righteous.


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And you showed signs and wonders in Egypt, on Pharao and all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for you know that they behaved insolently against them: and you made yourself a name, as at this day.


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And you did cleave the sea before them, and they passed through the midst of the sea on dry land; and you did cast into the deep them that were about to pursue them, as a stone in the mighty water.


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And you guided them by day by a pillar of cloud, and by night by a pillar of fire, to enlighten for them the way wherein they should walk.


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Also you came down upon mount Sina, and you spoke to them out of heaven, and gave them right judgments, and laws of truth, ordinances, and good commandments.


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And you did make known to them your holy sabbath; you did enjoin upon them commandments, and ordinances, and a law, by the hand of your servant Moses.


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And you gave them bread from heaven for their food, and you brought them forth water from a rock for their thirst; and you bade them go in to inherit the land over which you stretched out your hand to give <i>it</i> them.


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But they and our fathers behaved proudly, and hardened their neck, and did not listen to your commandments,


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and refused to listen, and remembered not your wonders which you wrought with them; and they hardened their neck, and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt: but you, O God, <i>are</i> merciful and compassionate, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy, and you did not forsake them.


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And still farther they even made to themselves a molten calf, and said, These <i>are</i> the gods that brought us up out of Egypt: and they wrought great provocations.


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Yet you in your great compassions did not forsake them in the wilderness: you did not turn away from them the pillar of the cloud by day, to guide them in the way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to enlighten for them the way wherein they should walk.


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And you gave your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water in their thirst.


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And you did sustain them forty years in the wilderness; you did not allow anything to fail them: their garments did not wax old, and their feet were not bruised.


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Moreover, you gave them kingdoms, and did divide nations to them: and they inherited the land of Seon king of Esebon, and the land of Og king of Basan.


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And you did multiply their children as the stars of heaven, and brought them into the land of which you spoke to their fathers;


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And they inherited it: and you did destroy from before them the dwellers in the land of the Chananites, and you gave into their hands them and their kings, and the nations of the land, to do to them as it pleased them.


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And they took lofty cities, and inherited houses full of all good things, wells dug, vineyards, and olive yards, and every fruit tree in abundance: so they ate, and were filled, and grew fat, and rioted in your great goodness.


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But they turned, and revolted from you, and cast your law behind their backs; and they killed your prophets, who testified against them to turn them back to you, and they wrought great provocations.


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Then you gave them into the hand of them that afflicted them, and they did afflict them: and they cried to you in the time of their affliction, and you did hear them from your heaven, and in your great compassions gave them deliverers, and did save them from the hand of them that afflicted them.


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But when they rested, they did evil again before you: so you left them in the hands of their enemies, and they ruled over them: and they cried again to you, and you heard <i>them</i> from heaven, and did deliver them in your great compassions.


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And you did testify against them, to bring them back to your law: but they listened not, but sinned against your commandments and your judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them; and they turned their back, and hardened their neck, and heard not.


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Yet you did bear long with them many years, and did testify to them by your Spirit by the hand of your prophets: but they listened not; so you gave them into the hand of the nations of the land.


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But you in your many mercies did not appoint them to destruction, and did not forsake them; for you are strong, and merciful, and pitiful.


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And now, O our God, the powerful, the great, the mighty, and the terrible, keeping your covenant and your mercy, let not all the trouble seem little in your sight which has come upon us, and our kings, and our princes, and our priests, and our prophets, and our fathers, and upon all your people, from the days of the kings of Assur even to this day.


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But you <i>are</i> righteous in all the things that come upon us; for you have wrought faithfully, but we have greatly sinned.


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And our kings, and our princes, and our priests, and our fathers, have not performed your law, and have not given heed to your commandments, and <i>have not kept</i> your testimonies which you did testify to them.


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And they did not serve you in your kingdom, and in your great goodness which you gave to them, and in the large and fat land which you did furnish before them, and they turned not from their evil devices.


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Behold, we are servants this day, and <i>as for</i> the land which you gave to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good things of it, behold, we are servants upon it:


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and its produce <i>is</i> abundant for the kings whom you did appoint over us because of our sins; and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, as it pleases them, and we are in great affliction.


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And in regard to all these circumstances we make a covenant, and write <i>it</i>, and our princes, our Levites, <i>and</i> our priests, set their seal to <i>it</i>.<pb/>


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And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nathinim, and every one who drew off from the nations of the land to the law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, every one who had knowledge and understanding,


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were urgent with their brethren, and bound them under a curse, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in the law of God, which was given by the hand of Moses, the servant of God; to keep and to do all the commandments of the Lord, and his judgments, and his ordinances;


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and that we will not, <i>they said, </i>give our daughters to the people of the land, nor will we take their daughters to our sons.


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And <i>as for</i> the people of the land who bring wares and all <i>manner of</i> merchandise to sell on the sabbath-day, we <i>will</i> not buy of them on the sabbath or on the holy day: and we will leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.


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And we will impose ordinances upon ourselves, to levy on ourselves the third part of a didrachm yearly for the service of the house of our God;


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the show bread, and the continual meat-offering, and for the continual whole burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moon, for the feast, and for the holy things, and the sin-offerings, to make atonement for Israel, and for the works of the house of our God.


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And we cast lots for the office of wood-bearing, <i>we</i> the priests, and the Levites, and the people, to bring <i>wood</i> into the house of our God, according to the house of our families, at certain set times, year by year, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law:


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and to bring the first fruits of our land, and the first fruits of the fruit of every tree, year by year, into the house of the Lord:


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the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, for the priests that minister in the house of our God.


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And the first fruits of our corn, and the fruit of every tree, of wine, and of oil, will we bring to the priests to the treasury of the house of God; and a tithe of our land to the Levites: for the Levites themselves shall receive tithes in all the cities of the land we cultivate.


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And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites in the tithe of the Levite: and the Levites shall bring up the tenth part of <i>their</i> tithe to the house of our God, into the treasuries of the house of God.


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For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring into the treasuries the first fruits of the corn, and wine, and oil; and there <i>are</i> the holy vessels, and the priests, and the ministers, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.<pb/>


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And the chiefs of the people lived in Jerusalem: and the rest of the people cast lots, to bring one of <i>every</i> ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the <i>other</i> cities.


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Now these <i>are</i> the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda; <i>every</i> man lived in his possession in their cities: Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nathinim, and the children of the servants of Solomon.


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And there lived in Jerusalem <i>some</i> of the children of Juda, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Juda; Athaia son of Azia, the son of Zacharia, the son of Samaria, the son of Saphatia, the son of Maleleel, and <i>some</i> of the sons of Phares;


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and Maasia son of Baruch, son of Chalaza, son of Ozia, son of Adaia, son of Joarib, son of Zacharias, son of Seloni.


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All the sons of Phares who lived in Jerusalem <i>were</i> four hundred and sixty-eight men of might.


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And these <i>were</i> the children of Benjamin; Selo son of Mesulam, son of Joad, son of Phadaia, son of Coleia, son of Maasias, son of Ethiel, son of Jesia.


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Saraia, son of Elchia, son of Mesulam, son of Sadduc, son of Marioth, son of Aetoth, was over the house of God.


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And their brethren doing the work of the house were eight hundred and twenty-two: and Adaia son of Jeroam, son of Phalalia, son of Amasi, son of Zacharia, son of Phassur, son of Melchia,


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and his brethren, chiefs of families, two hundred and forty-two: and Amasia son of Esdriel, son of Mesarimith, son of Emmer,


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and his brethren, mighty men of war, a hundred and twenty-eight: and <i>their</i> overseer <i>was</i> Badiel son of <i>one of the</i> great men.


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And the overseer of the Levites <i>was</i> the son of Bani, son of Ozi, son of Asabia, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph the singers <i>some were</i> over the house of God,


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and with regard to villages in their country district: and <i>some</i> of the children of Juda lived in Cariatharboc,


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Now these <i>are</i> the priests and the Levites that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel and Jesus: Saraia, Jeremia, Esdra,


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And the Levites <i>were</i>, Jesus, Banui, Cadmiel, Sarabia, Jodae, Matthania: he <i>was</i> over the bands,


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And in the days of Joakim, his brethren the priests and the heads of families <i>were, belonging</i> to Saraia, Amaria; to Jeremia, Anania;


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The Levites in the days of Eliasib, Joada, and Joa, and Joanan, and Idua, <i>were</i> recorded heads of families: also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.


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And the sons of Levi, heads of families, <i>were</i> written in the book of the chronicles, even to the days of Joanan son of Elisue.


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And the heads of the Levites <i>were</i> Asabia, and Sarabia, and Jesu: and the sons of Cadmiel, and their brethren over against them, were to sing hymns of praise, according to the commandment of David the man of God, course by course.


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<i>it was</i> in the days of Joakim son of Jesus, son of Josedec, and in the days of Neemia: and Esdras the priest <i>was</i> scribe.


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And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep a feast of dedication and gladness with thanksgiving, and they sounded cymbals with songs, and <i>had</i> lutes and harps.


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And the sons of the singers were assembled both from the neighbourhood round about to Jerusalem, and from the villages,


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And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people, and the porters, and the wall.


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And they brought up the princes of Juda on the wall, and they appointed two great <i>companies</i> for thanksgiving, and they passed on the right hand on the wall of the dung-gate.


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And <i>some</i> of the sons of the priest with trumpets, Zacharias son of Jonathan, son of Samaias, son of Matthania, son of Michaia, son of Zacchur, son of Asaph:


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and his brethren, Samaia, and Oziel, Gelol, Jama, Aia, Nathanael, and Juda, Anani, to praise with the hymns of David the man of God; and Esdras the scribe <i>was</i> before them,


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And in that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced; for God had made them very joyful: and their wives and their children rejoiced: and the joy in Jerusalem was heard from afar off.


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And in that day they appointed men over the treasuries, for the treasures, the first fruits, and the tithes, and <i>for</i> the chiefs of the cities who were assembled among them, <i>to furnish</i> portions for the priests and Levites: for <i>there was</i> joy in Juda over the priests and over the Levites that waited.


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And they kept the charges of their God, and the charges of the purification, and <i>ordered</i> the singers and the porters, according to the commandments of David and his son Solomon.


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For in the days of David Asaph was originally first of the singers, and <i>they sang</i> hymns and praise to God.


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And all Israel in the days of Zorobabel, and in the days of Neemias, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, a daily rate: and consecrated them to the Levites: and the Levites consecrated them to the sons of Aaron.<pb/>


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In that day they read in the book of Moses in the ears of the people; and it was found written in it, that the Ammonites and Moabites should not enter into the congregation of God for ever;


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because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing.


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And it came to pass, when they heard the law, that they were separated, <i>even</i> every alien in Israel.


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And before this time Eliasib the priest lived in the treasury of the house of our God, connected with Tobias;


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and he made himself a great treasury, and there they were formerly in the habit of bestowing the offerings, and the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithe of the corn, and the wine, and the oil, the ordered portion of the Levites, and singers, and porters; and the first fruits of the priests.


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But in all this <i>time</i> I was not in Jerusalem; for in the thirty-second year of Arthasastha king of Babylon I came to the king, and after a certain time I made my request of the king;


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and I came to Jerusalem, and I understood the mischief which Eliasib had done in the case of Tobias, in making for him a treasury in the court of the house of God.


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And it appeared very evil to me: so I cast forth all the furniture of the house of Tobias from the treasury.


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And I gave orders, and they purified the treasuries: and I restored there the vessels of the house of God, <i>and</i> the offerings, and the frankincense.


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And I understood that the portion of the Levites had not been given: and they had fled every one to his field, the Levites and the singers doing the work.


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And I strove with the commanders, and said, Therefore has the house of God been abandoned? and I assembled them, and set them in their place.


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to the charge of Selemia the priest, and Sadoc the scribe, and Phadaea of the Levites: and next to them <i>was</i> Anan the son of Zacchur, son of Matthanias; for they were accounted faithful: <i>it was</i> their office to distribute to their brethren.


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Remember me, O God, in this, and let not my kindness be forgotten which I have wrought in <i>regard to</i> the house of the Lord God.


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In those days I saw in Juda <i>men</i> treading wine presses on the sabbath, and carrying sheaves, and loading asses with both wine, and grapes, and figs, and every <i>kind of</i> burden, and bringing them into Jerusalem on the sabbath-day:


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and I testified in the day of their sale. Also their lived in it <i>men</i> bringing fish, and selling every <i>kind of</i> merchandise to the children of Juda and in Jerusalem on the sabbath.


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And I strove with the free children of Juda, and said to them, What <i>is</i> this evil thing which you° do, and profane the sabbath-day?


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Did not your fathers thus, and our God brought upon them and upon us and upon this city all these evils? and do you° bring additional wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath?


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And it came to pass, when the gates were set up in Jerusalem, before the sabbath, that I spoke, and they shut the gates; and I gave orders that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and I set <i>some</i> of my servants at the gates, that none should bring <i>in</i> burdens on the sabbath-day.


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Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why do you° lodge in front of the wall? if you° do so again, I will stretch out my hand upon you. From that time they came not on the sabbath.


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and I told the Levites who were purifying themselves, and came and kept the gates, that they should sanctify the sabbath-day. Remember me, O God, for these things, and spare me according to the abundance of your mercy.


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and their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod, and did not know how to speak in the Jewish language.


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And I strove with them and cursed them; and I struck some of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, <i>saying, </i>You° shall not give your daughters to their sons, and you° shall not take of their daughters to your sons.


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Did not Solomon king of Israel sin thus? though there was no king like him among many nations, and he was beloved of God, and God made him king over all Israel; yet strange women turned him aside.


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So we will not listen to you to do all this evil, to break covenant with our God, —to marry strange wives.


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and Elisub the high priest, <i>one</i> of the sons of Joada, <i>being</i> son-in-law of Sanaballat the Uranite, I chased him away from me.


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Remember them, O God, for their <i>false</i> connection with the priesthood, and <i>the breaking</i> the covenant of the priesthood, and <i>for defiling</i> the Levites.


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So I purged them from all foreign connection, and established courses for the priests and the Levites, <i>every</i> man according to his work.


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And the offering of the wood-bearers <i>was</i> at certain set times, and in the <i>times of the</i> first fruits. Remember me, O our God, for good.


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[In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the great king, on the first <i>day</i> of Nisan, Mardochaeus the <i>son</i> of Jarius, the <i>son</i> of Semeias, the <i>son</i> of Cisaus, of the tribe of Benjamine, a Jew dwelling in the city Susa, a great man, serving in the king's palace, saw a vision. Now he was of the captivity which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried captive from Jerusalem, with Jachonias the king of Judea. And this was his dream: Behold, voices and a noise, thunders and earthquake, tumult upon the earth. And, behold, two great serpents came forth, both ready for conflict, and there came from them a great voice, and by their voice every nation was prepared for battle, even to fight against the nation of the just. And, behold, a day of darkness and blackness, tribulation and anguish, affliction and tumult upon the earth. And all the righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own afflictions; and they prepared to die, and cried to God: and from their cry there came as it were a great river from a little fountain, <i>even</i> much water. And light and the sun arose, and the lowly were exalted, and devoured the honorable. And Mardochaeus who had seen this vision and what God desired to do, having <n>[[Or, ]] arisen. </n> awoke, kept it in his heart, and desired by all means to interpret it, even till night. And Mardochaeus rested quiet in the palace with Gabatha and Tharrha the king's two chamberlains, eunuchs who guarded the palace. And he heard their reasoning and searched out their plans, and learned that they were preparing to lay hands on king Artaxerxes: and he informed the king concerning them. And the king examined the two chamberlains, and they confessed, and were <n>[[Lit ]] led away, see Acts 12. 19. </n> executed. And the king wrote these things for a memorial: also Mardochaeus wrote concerning these matters. And the king commanded Mardochaeus to attend in the palace, and gave gifts for this service. And Aman the son of Amadathes the Bugean was honorable in the sight of the king, and he endeavored to hurt Mardochaeus and his people, because of the two chamberlains of the king.] <n>[[Note. - ]] In the [[Heb. ]] and some copies of LXX, Esther begins here. </n> And it came to pass after these <n>[[Gr. ]] words. </n> things in the days of Artaxerxes, —(this Artaxerxes ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India)—


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in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to his friends, and the other nations, and to the nobles of the Persians and Medes, and the chief of the satraps.


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And after this, after he had shown to them the wealth of his kingdom, and the abundant glory of his wealth during a hundred and eighty days,


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when, <i>I say</i>, the days of the marriage feast were completed, the king made a banquet to the nations who were present in the city six days, in the court of the king's house,


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<i>which was</i> adorned with <i>hangings</i> of fine linen and flax on cords of fine linen and purple, fastened to golden and silver studs, on pillars of Parian marble and stone: <i>there were</i> golden and silver couches on a pavement of emerald stone, and of pearl, and of Parian stone, <n>[[Lit. ]] transparent. </n> and open-worked coverings variously flowered, <i>having</i> roses worked round about;


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gold and silver cups, and a small cup of carbuncle set out of the value of thirty thousand talents, abundant and sweet wine, which the king himself drank.


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And this banquet was not according to the appointed law; but so the king would have it: and he charged the stewards to perform his will and that of the company.


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Now on the seventh day the king, being merry, told Aman, and Bazan, and Tharrha, and Barazi, and Zatholtha, and Abataza, and Tharaba, the seven chamberlains, servants of king Artaxerxes,


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to bring in the queen to him, to <n>[[Gr. ]] to make her queen. </n> enthrone her, and crown her with the diadem, and to show her to the princes, and her beauty to the nations: for she was beautiful.


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But queen Astin listened not to him to come with the chamberlains: so the king was grieved and angered.


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And he said to his friends, Thus have Astin spoken: pronounce therefore upon this <i>case</i> law and judgment.


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So Arkesaeus, and Sarsathaeus, and Malisear, the princes of the Persians and Medes, who were near the king, who sat chief <i>in rank</i> by the king, drew near to him,


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and reported to him according to the laws how it was proper to do to queen Astin, because she had not done the things commanded of the king by the chamberlains.


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And Muchaeus said to the king and to the princes, Queen Astin has not wronged the king only, but also all the king's rulers and princes:


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for he has told them the words of the queen, and how she <n>[[Gr. ]] contradicted. </n> disobeyed the king. As then, <i>said he</i>, she refused <i>to obey</i> king Artaxerxes,


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so this day shall the other ladies of the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, having heard what she said to the king, dare in the same way to dishonor their husbands.


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If then it seem good to the king, let him make a royal decree, and let it be written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, and let him not alter <i>it</i>: and let not the queen come in to him any more; and let the king give her royalty to a woman better than she.


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And let the law of the king which he shall have made, be widely proclaimed, in his kingdom: and so shall all the women give honor to their husbands, from the poor even to the rich.


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and sent into all his kingdom through the several provinces, according to their language, <n>[[Gr. ]] that there might be fear to them, etc. </n> in order that men might be feared in their own houses.<pb/>


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And after this the king's anger was pacified, and he no more mentioned Astin, bearing in mind what she had said, and how he had condemned her.


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Then the servants of the king said, Let there be sought for the king chaste <i>and</i> beautiful young virgins.


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And let the king appoint local governors in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them select fair <i>and</i> chaste young damsels <i>and bring them</i> to the city Susa, into the women's apartment, and let them be consigned to the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women; and let things for purification and other attendance be given <i>to them</i>.


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And let the woman who shall please the king be queen instead of Astin. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.


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Now there was a Jew in the city Susa, and his name was Mardochaeus, the <i>son</i> of Jairus, <i>the son</i> of Semeias, <i>the son</i> of Cisaeus, of the tribe of Benjamin;


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who had been brought a prisoner from Jerusalem, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried into captivity.


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And he had a foster child, daughter of Aminadab his father's brother, and her name <i>was</i> Esther; and when her parents were dead, he brought her up for a wife for himself: and the damsel was beautiful.


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And because the king's ordinance was published, many damsels were gathered to the city Susa under the hand of Gai; and Esther was brought to Gai the keeper of the women.


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And the damsel pleased him, and she found favor in his sight; and he hasted to give her the things for purification, and her portion, and the seven maidens appointed her out of the palace: and he treated her and her maidens well in the women's apartment.


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Now this was the time for a virgin to go into the king, when she should have fulfilled twelve months; for so are the days of purification fulfilled, six months while they are anointing themselves with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices and women's purifications.


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And then <i>the damsel</i> goes in to the king; and <i>the officer</i> to whoever he shall give the command, will bring her to come in with him from the women's apartment to the king's chamber.


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She enters in the evening, and in the morning she departs to the second women's apartment, where Gai the king's chamberlain <i>is</i> keeper of the women: and she goes not in to the king again, unless she should be called by name.


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And when the time. was fulfilled for Esther the daughter of Aminadab the brother of Mardochaeus' father to go in to the king, she neglected nothing which the chamberlain, the women's keeper, commanded; for Esther found grace in the sight of all that looked upon her.


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So Esther went in to king Artaxerxes in the twelfth month, which is Adar, in the seventh year of his reign.


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And the king loved Esther, and she found favor beyond all the <i>other</i> virgins: and he put on her the queen's crown.


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And the king made a banquet for all his friends and great men for seven days, and he highly celebrated the marriage of Esther; and he made a release to those who were under his dominion.


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Now Esther had not revealed her <n>[[Gr. ]] country. </n> kindred; for so Mardochaeus commanded her, to fear God, and perform his commandments, as when she was with him: and Esther changed not her manner of life.


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And two chamberlains of the king, the chiefs of the body-guard, were grieved, because Mardochaeus was promoted; and they sought to kill king Artaxerxes.


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And the matter was revealed to Mardochaeus, and he made it known to Esther, and she declared to the king the matter of the conspiracy.


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And the king examined the two chamberlains, and hanged them: and the king gave orders to make a note for a memorial in the royal <n>[[Gr. ]] library. </n> records of the good offices of Mardochaeus, as a commendation.<pb/>


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And after this king Artaxerxes highly honored Aman <i>son</i> of Amadathes, the Bugaean, and exalted him, and set his seat above all his friends.


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And all in the palace did him obeisance, for so the king had given orders to do: but Mardochaeus did not do him obeisance.


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And they in the king's palace said to Mardochaeus, Mardochaeus, why do you transgress the commands of the king?


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<i>Thus</i> they spoke daily to him, but he listened not to them; so they represented to Aman that Mardochaeus resisted the commands of the king: and Mardochaeus had shown to them that he was a Jew.


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And he made a <n>[[Gr. ]] vote by ballot. </n> decree in the twelfth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, and cast lots daily and monthly, to kill in one day the race of Mardochaeus: and the lot fell on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the month which is Adar.


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And he spoke to king Artaxerxes, saying, There is a nation scattered among the nations in all your kingdom, and their laws differ from <i>those of</i> all the <i>other</i> nations; and they disobey the laws of the king; and it is not expedient for the king to let them alone.


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If it seem good to the king, let him make a decree to destroy them: and I will remit into the king's treasury ten thousand talents of silver.


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And the king took off his ring, and gave it into the hands of Aman, to seal the decrees against the Jews.


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So the king's recorders were called in the first month, on the thirteenth <i>day</i>, and they wrote as Aman commanded to the captains and governors in every province, from India even to Ethiopia, to a hundred and twenty-seven provinces; and to the rulers of the nations according to their <i>several</i> languages, in the name of king Artaxerxes.


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And <i>the message</i> was sent by posts throughout the kingdom of Artaxerxes, to destroy utterly the race of the Jews on the first day of the twelfth month, which is Adar, and to plunder their goods. <n>[[Note. - ]] The part in brackets is not in [[Heb.]]</n> [And the following is the copy of the letter; The great king Artaxerxes writes thus to the rulers and inferior governors of a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India even to Ethiopia, who hold authority under <i>him</i>. Ruling over many nations and having obtained dominion over the whole world, I was minded (not elated by the confidence of power, but ever conducting <i>myself</i> with great moderation and gentleness) to make the lives of <i>my</i> subjects continually tranquil, desiring both to maintain the kingdom quiet and orderly to <i>its</i> utmost limits, and to restore the peace desired by all men. But when I had enquired of my counselors how this should be brought to pass. Aman, who excels in soundness of judgment among us, and has been manifestly well inclined without wavering and with unshaken fidelity, and had obtained the second post in the kingdom, informed us that a certain ill-disposed people is mixed up with all the tribes throughout the world, opposed in their law to every <i>other</i> nation, and continually neglecting the commands of the king, so that the united government blamelessly administered by us is not quietly established. Having then conceived that this nation <i>alone of all others</i> is continually set in opposition to every man, introducing as a change a foreign code of laws, and injuriously plotting to accomplish the worst of evils against our interests, and against the happy establishment of the monarchy; we signified to you in the letter written by Aman, who is set over <i>the public</i> affairs and is our second governor, to destroy them all utterly with their wives and children by the swords of the enemies, without pitying or sparing any, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, of the present year; that the people aforetime and now ill-disposed <i>to us</i> having been violently consigned to death in one day, may hereafter secure to us continually a well constituted and quiet <i>state of affairs.] </i>


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And the copies of the letters were published in every province; and an order was given to all the nations to be ready against that day.


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And the business was hastened, and <i>that</i> at Susa: and the king and Aman began to drink; but the city was troubled.<pb/>


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But Mardochaeus having perceived what was done, tore his garments, and put on sackcloth, and sprinkled dust upon himself; and having rushed forth through the open street of the city, he cried with a loud voice, A nation that has done no wrong is going to be destroyed.


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And he came to the king's gate, and stood; for it was not lawful for him to enter into the palace, wearing sackcloth and ashes.


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And in every province where the letters were published, <i>there was</i> crying and lamentation and great mourning on the part of the Jews: they spread for themselves sackcloth and ashes.


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And the queen's maids and chamberlains went in and told her: and when she had heard what was done, she was disturbed; and she sent to clothe Mardochaeus, and take away his sackcloth; but he consented not.


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And Mardochaeus showed him what was done, and the promise which Aman had made the king of ten thousand talents <i>to be paid</i> into the treasury, that he might destroy the Jews.


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And he gave him the copy <i>of the writing</i> that was published in Susa concerning their destruction, to show to Esther; and told him to charge her to go in and entreat the king, and to beg him for the people, remembering, <i>said he</i>, the days of your low estate, how you were nursed by my hand: because Aman who holds the next place to the king has spoken against us for death. Do you call upon the Lord, and speak to the king concerning us, to deliver us from death.


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All the nations of the empire know, that whoever, man or woman, shall go in to the king into the inner court uncalled, that person can’t live: only to whoever the king shall stretch out <i>his</i> golden sceptre, he shall live: and I have not been called to go into the king, for these thirty days.


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Then Mardochaeus said to Achrathaeus, Go, and say to her, Esther, say not to yourself that you alone will escape in the kingdom, more than all the <i>other</i> Jews.


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For if you shall refuse to listen on this occasion, help and protection will be to the Jews from another quarter; but you and your father's house will perish: and who knows, if you have been made queen for this <i>very</i> occasion?


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Go and assemble the Jews that are in Susa, and fast you° for me, and eat not and drink not for three days, night and day: and I also and my maidens will fast; and then I will go in to the king contrary to the law, even if I must die.


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So Mardochaeus went and did all that Esther commanded him. <n>[[Note. - ]] The part between brackets, [[i.e. ]] to the end of chap. [[iv. ]] is not in the [[Heb.]]</n> [And he implored the Lord, making mention of all the works of the Lord; and he said, Lord <n>See 3 Kings 8. 53. [[Note.]]</n> God, king ruling over all, for all things are in your power, and there is no one that shall oppose you, in your purpose to save Israel. - For you have made the heaven and the earth and every wonderful thing in the <i>world</i> under heaven. And you are Lord of all, and there is no one who shall resist you Lord. You know all things: you know, Lord, that it is not in insolence, nor haughtiness, nor love of glory, that I have done this, to refuse obeisance to the haughty Aman. For I would gladly have kissed the soles of his feet for the safety of Israel. But I have done this, that I might not set the glory of man above the glory of God: and I will not worship any one except you, my Lord, and I will not do these things in haughtiness. And now, O Lord God, the King, the God of Abraam, spare your people, for <i>our enemies</i> are looking upon us to <i>our</i> destruction, and they have desired to destroy your ancient inheritance. Do not overlook your <n>[[Gr. ]] portion. </n> peculiar people, whom you have redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt. Listen to my prayer, and be propitious to your inheritance, and turn our mourning into gladness, that we may live and sing praise to your name, O Lord; and do not utterly destroy the mouth of them that praise you, O Lord. And all Israel cried with <i>all</i> their might, for death <i>was</i> before their eyes. And queen Esther betook herself for refuge to the Lord, being taken <i>as it were</i> in the agony of death. And having taken off her glorious apparel, she put on garments of distress and mourning; and instead of grand perfumes she filled her head with ashes and dung, and she greatly brought down her body, and she filled every place of her glad adorning with the <i>torn</i> curls of her hair. And she implored the Lord God of Israel, and said, O my Lord, you alone are our king: help me <i>who am</i> destitute, and have no helper but you, for my danger <i>is</i> <n>[[Gr. ]] in my hand. </n> near at hand. I have heard from my birth, in the tribe of my kindred that you, Lord, took Israel out of all the nations, and our fathers out of all their kindred for a perpetual inheritance, and have wrought for them all that you have said. And now we have sinned before you, and you have delivered us into the hands of our enemies, because we honored their gods: you are righteous, O Lord. But now they have not been contented with the bitterness of our slavery, but have laid their hands on the hands of their idols, <i>in order</i> to abolish the decree of your mouth, and utterly to destroy your inheritances, and to stop the mouth of them that praise you, and to extinguish the glory of your house and your altar, and to open the mouth of the Gentiles to <i>speak</i> the <n>[[Gr. ]] virtues. </n> praises of vanities, and <i>in order</i> that a mortal king should be admired for ever. O Lord, do not resign your sceptre to them that are not, and let them not laugh at our fall, but turn their counsel against themselves and make an example of him who has <n>[[Gr. ]] begun against us. </n> begun <i>to injure</i> us. Remember <i>us</i>, O Lord, manifest yourself in the time of our affliction, and encourage me, O King of gods, and ruler of all dominion. Put harmonious speech into my mouth before the lion, and turn his heart to hate him that fights against us, to the utter destruction of him that consent with him. But deliver us by your hand, and help me <i>who am</i> destitute, and have none but the, O Lord. You know all things, and know that I hate the <n>[[Or, ]] opinion. </n> glory of transgressors, and that I abhor the couch of the uncircumcised, and of every stranger. You know my necessity, for I abhor the symbol of my proud station, which is upon my head in the days of my <n>[[Gr. ]] vision. [[q. d. ]] quo die  [[d spectanda ]][[d* fui. ]]</n> splendor: I abhor it as a menstruous cloth, and I wear it not in the days of my tranquility. And your handmaid has not eaten <i>at</i> the table of Aman, and I have not honored the banquet of the king, neither have I drunk wine of libations. Neither has your handmaid rejoiced since the day of my promotion until now, except in you, O Lord God of Abraam. O god, who has power over all, listen to the voice of the desperate, and deliver us from the hand of them that devise mischief; and deliver me from my fear.]<pb/>


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<n>From the first verse to the third, the[[Gr. ]] widely differs from the [[Heb.]]</n> And it came to pass on the third day, when she had ceased praying, that she put off her mean dress, and put on her glorious apparel. And being splendidly arrayed, <i>and</i> having called upon God the Overseer and Preserver of all things, she took her two maids, and she leaned upon one, as a delicate female, and the other followed bearing her train. And she <i>was</i> blooming in the perfection of her beauty; and her face <i>was</i> cheerful, and <i>it were</i> benevolent, but her heart <i>was</i> straitened for fear. And having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king: and he was sitting upon his royal throne, and he had put on all his glorious apparel, <i>covered</i> all over with gold and precious stones, and was very terrible. And having raised his face resplendent with glory, he looked with intense anger: and the queen fell, and changed her color as she fainted; and she bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before <i>her</i>. But God changed the spirit of the king to gentleness, and in intense feeling he sprang from off his throne, and took her into his arms, until she recovered: and he comforted her with peaceful words, and said to her, What is <i>the matter</i>, Esther? I <i>am</i> your brother; be of good cheer, you shall not die, for our command is openly declared <i>to you</i>, Draw near.


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And having raised the golden sceptre he laid it upon her neck, and embraced her, and said, Speak to me. And she said to him, I saw you, <i>my</i> lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of your glory; for you, <i>my</i> lord, are to be wondered at, and your face <i>is</i> full of grace. And while she was speaking, she fainted and fell. Then the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted her.


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And the king said, What will you, Esther? and what is your request? <i>ask</i> even to the half of my kingdom, and it shall be yours.


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And Esther said, To-day is my great day: if then it seem good to the king, let both him and Aman come to the feast which I will prepare this day.


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And the king said, Hasten Aman hither, that we may perform the word of Esther. So they both come to the feast of which Esther had spoken.


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And at the banquet the king said to Esther, What is <i>your request</i>, queen Esther? <i>speak</i>, and you shall have all that you require.


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if I have found favor in the sight of the king, let the king and Aman come again to-morrow to the feast which I shall prepare for them, and to-morrow I will do the same.


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So Aman went out from the king very glad <i>and</i> merry: but when Aman saw Mardochaeus the Jew in the court, he was greatly enraged.


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And he showed them his wealth, and the glory with which the king had invested him, and how he had caused him to take precedence and bear chief rule in the kingdom.


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And Aman said, The queen has called no one to the feast with the king but me, and I am invited to-morrow.


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And Zosara his wife and his friends said to him, Let there be a <n>[[Gr. ]] a tree cut. </n> gallows made for you of fifty cubits, and in the morning do you speak to the king, and let Mardochaeus be hanged on the gallows: but do you go in to the feast with the king, and be merry. And the saying pleased Aman, and the gallows was prepared.<pb/>


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But the Lord removed sleep from the king that night: and he told his servant to bring in the <n>[[Gr. ]] letters. </n> books, the registers of daily events, to read to him.


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And he found the <n>[[Gr. ]] letters. </n> records written concerning Mardochaeus, how he had told the king concerning the two chamberlains of the king, when they were keeping guard, and sought to lay hands on Artaxerxes.


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And the king said, What honor or favor have we done to Mardochaeus? And the king's servants said, You have not done anything to him.


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And while the king was enquiring about the kindness of Mardochaeus, behold, Aman <i>was</i> in the court. And the king said, Who <i>is</i> in the court? Now Aman was come in to speak to the king, that he should hang Mardochaeus on the gallows, which he had prepared.


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And the king said to Aman, What shall I do to the man whom I wish to honor? And Aman said within himself, Whom would the king honor but myself?


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let the king's servants bring the robe of fine linen which the king puts on, and the horse on which the king rides,


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and let him give <i>it</i> to one of the king's noble friends, and let him array the man whom the king loves; and let him mount him on the horse, and proclaim through the <n>[[Or, ]] wide space. </n> street of the city, saying, Thus shall it be <i>done</i> to every man whom the king honors.


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Then the king said to Aman, You have well said: so do to Mardochaeus the Jew, who waits in the palace, and let not a word of what you have spoken be neglected.


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So Aman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mardochaeus, and mounted him on the horse, and went through the street of the city, and proclaimed, saying, Thus shall it be to every man whom the king wishes to honor.


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And Aman related the events that had befallen him to Zosara his wife, and to <i>his</i> friends: and his friends and his wife said to him, <n>[[Or, ]] if it be M. etc. before whom. </n> If Mardochaeus <i>be</i> of the race of the Jews, <i>and</i> you have begun to be humbled before him, you will assuredly fall, and you will not be able to withstand him, for the living God <i>is</i> with him.


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While they were yet speaking, the chamberlains arrived, to hasten Aman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.<pb/>


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And the king said to Esther at the banquet on the second day, What is it, queen Esther? and what <i>is</i> your request, and what <i>is</i> your petition? and it shall be <i>done</i> for you, to the half of my kingdom.


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And she answered and said, If I have found favor in the sight of the king, let <i>my</i> life be granted to my petition, and my people to my request.


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For both I and my people are sold for destruction, and pillage, and slavery; <i>both</i> we and our children for bondmen and bondwomen: and I consented not to it, for the slanderer <n>see <i>Heb. slanderer </i></n> <i>is</i> not worthy of the king's palace.


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And Esther said, the <n>[[Gr. ]] hostile man. </n> adversary <i>is</i> Aman, this wicked man. Then Aman was troubled before the king and the queen.


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And the king rose up from the banquet to go into the garden: and Aman began to entreat the queen; for he saw that he was in <n>[[Gr. ]] evils. </n> an evil case.


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And the king returned from the garden; and Aman had fallen upon the bed, intreating the queen. And the king said, Will you even force <i>my</i> wife in my house? And when Aman heard it, he changed countenance.


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And Bugathan, one of the chamberlains, said to the king, Behold, Aman has also prepared a gallows for Mardochaeus, who spoke concerning the king, and a gallows of fifty cubits high has been set up in the premises of Aman. And the king said, Let him be <n>[[Or, ]] impaled. </n> hanged thereon.


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So Aman was hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mardochaeus: and then the king's wrath was appeased.<pb/>


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And in that day king Artaxerxes gave to Esther all that belonged to Aman the slanderer: and Mardochaeus was called by the king; for Esther had shown that he was related to her.


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And the king took the ring which he had taken away from Aman, and gave it to Mardochaeus: and Esther appointed Mardochaeus over all that had been Aman's.


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And she spoke yet again to the king, and fell at his feet, and implored <i>him</i> to do away the mischief of Aman, and all that he had done against the Jews.


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And Esther said, If it seem good to you, and I have found favor <i>in your sight</i>, let an order be sent that the letters sent by Aman may be reversed, that were written for the destruction of the Jews, who are in your kingdom.


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For how shall I be able to look upon the affliction of my people, and how shall I be able to survive the destruction of my <n>[[Gr. ]] country. </n> kindred?


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And the king said to Esther, If I have given and freely granted you all that was Aman's, and hanged him on a gallows, because he laid his hands upon the Jews, what do you yet further seek?


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Write you° also in my name, as it seems good to you, and seal <i>it</i> with my ring: for whatever <i>orders</i> are written at the command of the king, and sealed with my ring, it is not <n>[[Or, ]] possible </n> lawful to gainsay them.


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So the scribes were called in the first month, which is Nisan, on the three and twentieth day of the same year; and <i>orders</i> were written to the Jews, whatever <i>the king had</i> commanded to the <n>[[Gr. ]] stewards. </n> local governors and chiefs of the satraps, from India even to Ethiopia, a hundred and twenty-seven satraps, according to the several provinces, according to their dialects.


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And they were written by order of the king, and sealed with his ring, and they sent the letters by the posts:


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wherein he charged them to use their <i>own</i> laws in every city, and to help each other, and to treat their adversaries, and those who attacked them, as they pleased,


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on one day in all the kingdom of Artaxerxes, on the thirteenth <i>day</i> of the twelfth month, which is Adar.


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And let the copies be posted in conspicuous places throughout the kingdom, and let all the Jews be ready against this day, to fight against their enemies. And the following is the copy of the letter of the orders. <n>the passages in brackets are not in the [[Hebrew.]]</n> [The great king Artaxerxes sends greetings to the rulers of provinces <i>in</i> a hundred and twenty-seven satraps, from India to Ethiopia, even to those who are faithful to our interests. Many who have been frequently honored by the most abundant kindness of their <n>perhaps rulers, see Luke 22. 25. </n> benefactors have conceived ambitious designs, and not only endeavor to hurt our subjects, but moreover, not being able to bear prosperity, they also endeavor to plot against their own benefactors. And they not only would utterly abolish gratitude from among men, but also, elated by the boastings of men who are strangers to all that is good, they supposed that they shall escape the sin-hating vengeance of the ever-seeing God. And oftentimes <i>evil</i> exhortation has made partakers of the guilt of shedding innocent blood, and has involved in irremediable calamities, many of those who had been appointed to offices of authority, who had been entrusted with the management of their friends' affairs; while <i>men</i>, by the false sophistry of an evil disposition, have deceived the simple candour of the ruling powers. And it is possible to see <i>this</i>, not so much from more ancient traditionary accounts, as it is immediately in your power <i>to see it</i> by examining what things have been wickedly <n>[[Gr. ]] contrived. </n> perpetrated by the baseness of men unworthily holding power. And <i>it is right</i> to take heed with regard to the future, that we may maintain the government in undisturbed peace for all men, adopting <i>needful</i> changes, and ever judging those cases which come under our notice, with truly equitable decision. For whereas Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadathes, in reality an alien from the blood of the Persians, and differing widely from our mild course of government, having been hospitable entertained by us, obtained so large a share of our universal kindness, as to be called our father, and to continue the person next to the royal throne, reverenced of all; <i>he however</i>, <n>[[Gr. ]] not having borne. </n> overcome by the pride <i>of his station</i>, endeavored to deprive us of our dominion, and our <n>[[Gr. ]] spirit. </n> life: having by various and subtle artifices demanded for destruction both Mardochaeus our deliverer and perpetual benefactor, and Esther the blameless consort of <i>our</i> kingdom, with their whole nation. For by these methods he thought, having surprised us in a defenceless state, to transfer the dominion of the Persians to the Macedonians. But we find that the Jews, who have been consigned to destruction by the <n>[[Gr. ]] thrice guilty. </n> most abominable of men, are not malefactors, but living according to the justest laws, and being the sons of the living God, the most high and <n>[[Gr. ]] greatest. </n> mighty, who maintains the kingdom. to us as well as to our forefathers, in the most excellent order. You° will therefore do well in refusing to obey the letter sent by Aman the son of Amadathes, because he that has done these things, has been hanged with his whole family at the gates of Susa, Almighty God having swiftly returned to him a worthy recompence, <i>We enjoin you</i> then, having openly published a copy of this letter in every place, to give the Jews permission to use their own lawful customs, and to strengthen them, that on the thirteenth of the twelfth month Adar, on the self-same day, they may defend themselves against those who attack them in a time of affliction. For in the place of the destruction of the chosen race, Almighty God has granted them this <i>time of</i> gladness. Do you° therefore also, among your <i>notable</i> feasts, keep a distinct day with all festivity, that both now and hereafter it may be a day of deliverance to us and who are well disposed toward the Persians, but to those that plotted against us a memorial of destruction. And every city and province collectively, which shall not do accordingly, shall be consumed with vengeance by spear and fire: it shall be made not only inaccessible to men, but most hateful to wild beasts and birds for ever.] And let the copies be posted in conspicuous places throughout the kingdom and let all the Jews be ready against this day, to fight against their enemies.


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So the horsemen went forth with haste to perform the king's commands; and the ordinance was also published in Susa.


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And Mardochaeus went forth robed in the royal apparel, and wearing a golden crown, and a diadem of fine purple linen: and the people in Susa saw <i>it</i> and rejoiced.


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in every city and province wherever the ordinance was published: wherever the proclamation took place, the Jews had joy and gladness, feasting and mirth: and many of the Gentiles were circumcised, and became Jews, for fear of the Jews.<pb/>


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For in the twelfth month, on the thirteenth day of the month which is Adar, the letters written by the king arrived.


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For the chiefs of the satraps, and the princes and the royal scribes, honored the Jews; for the fear of Mardochaeus lay upon them.


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the ten sons of Aman the son of Amadathes the Bugaean, the enemy of the Jews, and they plundered <i>their property</i> on the same day:


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And the king said to Esther, The Jews have slain five hundred men in the city Susa; and how, think you, have they used them in the rest of the country? What then do you yet ask, that it may be <i>done</i> for you?


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And Esther said to the king, let it be granted to the Jews so to treat them tomorrow as to hand the ten sons of Aman.


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And he permitted it to be so done; and he gave up to the Jews of the city the bodies of the sons of Aman to hang.


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And the Jews assembled in Susa on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of Adar, and killed three hundred men, but plundered no property.


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And the rest of the Jews who were in the kingdom assembled, and helped one another, and obtained rest from their enemies: for they destroyed fifteen thousand of them on the thirteenth <i>day</i> of Adar, but took no spoil.


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And they rested on the fourteenth of the same month, and kept it as a day of rest with joy and gladness.


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And the Jews in the city Susa assembled also on the fourteenth <i>day</i> and rested; and they kept also the fifteenth with joy and gladness.


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On this account then <i>it is that</i> the Jews dispersed in every foreign land keep the fourteenth of Adar <i>as</i> a <n>[[Gr. ]] good day. </n> holy day with joy, sending portions each to his neighbor.


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And Mardochaeus wrote these things in a book, and sent them to the Jews, as many as were in the kingdom of Artaxerxes, both them that were near and them that were afar off,


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for on these days the Jews obtained rest from their enemies; and <i>as to</i> the month, which was Adar, in which a change was made for them, from mourning to joy, and from sorrow to a good day, to spend the whole of it <i>in</i> good days of <n>[[Gr. ]] weddings. </n> feasting and gladness, sending portions to their friends, and to the poor.


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<i>showing</i> how Aman the son of Amadathes the Macedonian fought against them, how he made a decree and cast <n>[[Gr. ]] lot. </n> lots to destroy them utterly;


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also how he went in to the king, telling <i>him</i> to hang Mardochaeus: but all the calamities he tried to bring upon the Jews came upon himself, and he was hanged, and his children.


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Therefore these days were called Phrurae, because of the lots; (for in their language they are called Phrurae;) because of the words of this letter, and <i>because of</i> all they suffered on this account, and all that happened to them.


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And <i>Mardochaeus</i> established it, and the Jews took upon themselves, and upon their seed, and upon those that were joined to them <i>to observe it</i>, neither would they on any account behave differently: but these days <i>were to be</i> a memorial kept in every generation, and city, and family, and province.


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And these days of the Phrurae, <i>said they, </i>shall be kept for ever, and their memorial shall not fail in any generation.


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And Mardochaeus and Esther the queen appointed <i>a fast</i> for themselves privately, even at that time also having formed their plan against their own health.


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And <i>as for</i> his strength and valour, and the wealth and glory of his kingdom, behold, they are written in the book of the Persians and Medes, for a memorial.


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And Mardochaeus <n>[[Gr. ]] succeded to [[Or, ]] came into the place of. </n> was viceroy to king Artaxerxes, and was a great man in the kingdom, and honored by the Jews, and passed his life beloved of all his nation. <n>the passages in brackets are not in the [[Hebrew.]]</n> [And Mardocheus said, These things have been done of God. For I remember the dream which I had concerning these matters: for not one particular of them has failed. <i>There was</i> the little fountain which became a river, and there was light, and the sun and much water. The river is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen. And the two serpents are I and Aman. And the nations are those <i>nations</i> that combined to destroy the name of the Jews. But <i>as for</i> my nation, this is Israel, <i>even</i> they that cried to God and were delivered: for the Lord delivered his people. And the Lord rescued us out of all these calamities; and God wrought such signs and great wonders as have not been done among the nations. Therefore did he ordain two lots. One for the people of God, and one for all the other <i>nations</i>. And these two lots came for an appointed season, and for a day of judgment, before God, and for all the nations. And God remembered his people, and vindicated his inheritance. And they shall observe these days in the month Adar, on the fourteenth and on the fifteenth <i>day</i> of the month, with an assembly, and joy and gladness before God, throughout the generations for ever among his people Israel. In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said he was a priest and Levite, and Ptolemeus his son, brought this epistle of Phurim, which they said was the same, and that Lysimachus the son of Ptolemeus, that was in Jerusalem, had interpreted.]


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There was a certain man in the land of Ausis, whose name <i>was</i> Job; and than man was true, blameless, righteous, <i>and</i> godly, abstaining from everything evil.


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And his cattle consisted of seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-asses in the pastures, and a very great household, and he had a great husbandry on the earth; and that man was <i>most</i> noble of the <i>men</i> of the east.


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And his sons visiting one another prepared a banquet every day, taking with them also their three sisters to eat and drink with them.


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And when the days of the banquet were completed, Job sent and purified them, having risen up in the morning, and offered sacrifices for them, according to their number, and one calf for a sin-offering for their souls: for Job said, Lest perhaps my sons have thought evil in their minds against God. Thus, then Job did continually.


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And it came to pass on a day, that behold, the angels of God came to stand before the Lord, and the devil came with them.


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And the Lord said to the devil, Whence are you come? And the devil answered the Lord, and said, I am come from compassing the earth, and walking up and down in the world.


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And the Lord said to him, Hast you diligently considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a man blameless, true, godly, abstaining from everything evil?


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Hast you not made a hedge about him, and about his household, and all his possessions round about? and have you not blessed the works of his hands, and multiplied his cattle upon the land?


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Then the Lord said to the devil, Behold, I give into your hand all that he has, but touch not himself. So the devil went out from the presence of the Lord.


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And it came to pass on a certain day, that Job's sons and his daughters were drinking wine in the house of their elder brother.


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And, behold, there came a messenger to Job, and said to him, The yokes of oxen were plowing, and the she-asses were feeding near them;


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and the spoilers came and took them for a prey, and killed the servants with the sword; and I having escaped alone am come to tell you.


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While he was yet speaking, there came another messenger, and said to Job, Fire has fallen from heaven, and burnt up the sheep, and devoured the shepherds like wise; and I having escaped alone am come to tell you.


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While he was yet speaking, there came another messenger, and said to Job, The horsemen formed three companies against us, and surrounded the camels, and took them for a prey, and killed the servants with the sword; and I only escaped, and am come to tell you.


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While he is yet speaking, another messenger comes, saying to Job, While your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking with their elder brother,


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suddenly a great wind came on from the desert, and caught the four corners of the house, and the house fell upon your children, and they are dead; and I have escaped alone, and am come to tell you.


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So Job arose, and tore his garments, and shaved the hair of his head, and fell on the earth, and worshipped,


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and said, I myself came forth naked from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, the Lord has taken away: as it seemed good to the Lord, so has it come to pass; blessed be the name of the Lord.


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In all these events that befell him Job sinned not at all before the Lord, and did not impute folly to God.<pb/>


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And it came to pass on a certain day, that the angels of God came to stand before the Lord, and the devil came among them to stand before the Lord.


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And the Lord, said to the devil, Whence come you? Then the devil said before the Lord, I am come from going through the world, and walking about the whole earth.


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And the Lord said to the devil, Hast you then observed my servant Job, that there is none of <i>men</i> upon the earth like him, a harmless, true, blameless, godly man, abstaining from all evil? and he yet cleaves to innocence, whereas you have told <i>me</i> to destroy his substance without cause?


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And the devil answered and said to the Lord, Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give as a ransom for his life.


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Nay, but put forth your hand, and touch his bones and his flesh: verily he will bless you to <i>your</i> face.


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So the devil went out from the Lord, and struck Job with sore boils from <i>his</i> feet to <i>his</i> head.


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And when much time had passed, his wife said to him, How long will you hold out, saying, Behold, I wait yet a little while, expecting the hope of my deliverance? for, behold, your memorial is abolished from the earth, <i>even your</i> sons and daughters, the pangs and pains of my womb which I bore in vain with sorrows; and you yourself sit down to spend the nights in the open air among the corruption of worms, and I am a wanderer and a servant from place to place and house to house, waiting for the setting of the sun, that I may rest from my labors and my pangs which now beset me: but say some word against the Lord, and die.


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But he looked on her, and said to her, You have spoken like one of the foolish women. If we have received good things of the hand of the Lord, shall we not endure evil things? In all these things that happened to him, Job sinned not at all with his lips before God.


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Now his three friends having heard of all the evil that was come upon him, came to him each from his own country: Eliphaz the king of the Thaemans, Baldad sovereign of the Saucheans, Sophar king of he Minaeans: and they came to him with one accord, to comfort and to visit him.


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And when they saw him from a distance they did not know him; and they cried with a loud voice, and wept, and tore every one his garment, and sprinkled dust upon <i>their heads</i>,


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and they sat down beside him seven days and seven nights, and no one of them spoke; for they saw that his affliction was dreadful and very great.<pb/>


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Let that night be darkness, and let not the Lord regard it from above, neither let light come upon it.


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let that day and night be cursed, let darkness carry them away; let it not come into the days of the year, neither let it be numbered with the days of the months.


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Let the stars of that night be darkened; let it remain <i>dark</i>, and not come into light; and let it not see the morning star arise:


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because it shut not up the gates of my mother's womb, for <i>so</i> it would have removed sorrow from my eyes.


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For why died I not in the belly? and <i>why</i> did I not come forth from the womb and die immediately?


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or <i>I should have been</i> as an untimely birth proceeding from his mother's womb, or as infants who never saw light.


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Accordingly as I have seen men plowing barren places, and they that sow them will reap sorrows for themselves.


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They shall perish by the command of the Lord, and shall be utterly consumed by the breath of his wrath.


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The strength of the lion, and the voice of the lioness, and the exulting cry of serpents are quenched.


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But if there had been any truth in your words, none of these evils would have befallen you. Shall not my ear receive excellent <i>revelations</i> from him?


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I arose and perceived it not: I looked, and there, was no form before my eyes: but I only heard a breath and a voice, <i>saying</i>,


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But <i>as for</i> them that dwell in houses of clay, of whom we also are formed of the same clay, he smites them like a moth.


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And from the morning to evening they no longer exist: they have perished, because they can’t help themselves.


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Let their children be far from safety, and let them be crushed at the doors of vile men, and let there be no deliverer.


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For what they have collected, the just shall eat; but they shall not be delivered out of calamities: let their strength be utterly exhausted.


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who does great things and untraceable, glorious things also, and marvelous, of which there is no number:


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But blessed <i>is</i> the man whom the Lord has reproved; and reject not you the chastening of the Almighty.


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for he causes <i>a man</i> to be in pain, and restores <i>him</i> again: he smites, and his hands heal.


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In famine he shall deliver you from death: and in war he shall free you from the power of the sword.


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Then shall you know that your house shall be at peace, and the provision for your tabernacle shall not fail.


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And you shall know that your seed <i>shall be</i> abundant; and your children shall be like the herbage of the field.


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And you shall come to the grave like ripe corn reaped in its season, or as a heap of the corn-flour collected in proper time.


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Behold, we have thus sought out these matters; these are what we have heard: but do you reflect with yourself, if you have done anything <i>wrong</i>.<pb/>


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Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!


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And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.


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For the arrows of the Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce me.


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What then? will the wild ass bray for nothing, if he is not seeking food? or again, will the ox low at the manger, when he has a fodder?


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For oh that he would grant <i>my desire</i>, and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!


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Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leaped: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.


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My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.


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Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.


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Is not the life of man upon earth a state of trial? and his existence as that of a hireling by the day?


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Or as a servant that fears his master, and one who has grasped a shadow? or as a hireling waiting for his pay?


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Whenever I lie down, I say, When <i>will it be</i> day? and whenever I rise up, again <i>I say</i> when <i>will it be</i> evening? and I am full of pains from evening to morning.


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And my body is covered with loathsome worms; and I waste away, scraping off clods of dust from my eruption.


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<i>I am</i> as a cloud that is cleared away from the sky: for if a man go down to the grave, he shall not come up again:


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Then neither will I refrain my mouth: I will speak being in distress; being in anguish I will disclose the bitterness of my soul.


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For I shall not live for ever, that I should patiently endure: depart from me, for my life <i>is</i> vain.


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If I have sinned, what shall I be able to do, O you that understand the mind of men? why have you made me as your accuser, and <i>why</i> am I a burden to you?


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Why have you not forgotten my iniquity, and purged my sin? but now I shall depart to the earth; and in the morning I am no more.<pb/>


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How long will you speak these things, <i>how long shall</i> the breath of your mouth <i>be</i> abundant in words?


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If you are pure and true, he will listen to your supplication, and will restore to you the habitation of righteousness.


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When it is yet on the root, and <i>though</i> it has not been cut down, does not any herb wither before it has received moisture?


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If he should prop up his house, it shall not stand: and when he has taken hold of it, it shall not remain.


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For the Lord will by no means reject the harmless man; but he will not receive any gift of the ungodly.


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But their adversaries shall clothe themselves with shame; and the habitation of the ungodly shall perish.<pb/>


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For if he would enter into judgment with him, <i>God</i> would not listen to him, so that he should answer to one of his charges of a thousand.


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If ever he should go beyond me, I shall not see him: if he should pass by me, neither thus have I known <i>it</i>.


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For though I should seem righteous, my mouth will be profane: and though I should seem blameless, I shall be proved perverse.


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For they are delivered into the hands of the unrighteous <i>man</i>: he covers the faces of the judges <i>of the earth</i>: but if it be not he, who is it?


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Or again, is there a trace of <i>their</i> path <i>left</i> by ships? or is there one of the flying eagle as it seeks <i>its</i> prey?


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Would that <i>he</i> our mediator were <i>present</i>, and a reprover, and one who should hear <i>the cause</i> between both.


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Weary in my soul, I will pour my words with groans upon him: I will speak being straitened in the bitterness of my soul.


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Is it good before you if I be unrighteous? for you have disowned the work of your hands, and attended to the counsel of the ungodly.


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Having these things in yourself, I know that you can do all things; for nothing is impossible with you.


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Or if I should be ungodly, woe is me: and if I should be righteous, I can’t lift myself up, for I am full of dishonor.


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For I am hunted like a lion for slaughter; for again you have changed and are terribly destroying me;


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renewing against me my torture: and you have dealt with me in great anger, and you have brought trials upon me.


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to a land of perpetual darkness, where there is no light, neither <i>can any one</i> see the life of mortals.<pb/>


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He that speaks much, should also hear on the other side: or does the fluent speaker think himself to be righteous? blessed <i>is</i> the short lived offspring of woman.


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Then shall he declare to you the power of wisdom; for it shall be double of that which is with you: and then shall you know, that a just recompence of your sins has come to you from the Lord.


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Will you find out the traces of the Lord? or have you come to the end <i>of that</i> which the Almighty has made?


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Heaven <i>is</i> high; and what will you do? and there are deeper things than those in hell; what do you know?


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For he knows the works of transgressors; and when he sees wickedness, he will not overlook <i>it</i>.


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But man vainly buoys himself up with words; and a mortal born of woman <i>is</i> like an ass in the desert.


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if there is any iniquity in your hands, put if far from you, and let not unrighteousness lodge in your habitation.


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For thus shall your countenance shine again, as pure water; and you shall dive yourself of uncleanness, and shall not fear.


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And your prayer <i>shall be</i> as the morning star, and life shall arise to you <i>as</i> from the noonday.


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And you shall be confident, because you have hope; and peace shall dawn to you from out of anxiety and care.


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For you shall be at ease, and there shall be no one to fight against you; and many shall charge, and make supplication to you.


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But safety shall fail them; for their hope is destruction, and the eyes of the ungodly shall waste away.<pb/>


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For it had been ordained that he should fall under others at the appointed time, and that his houses should be spoiled by transgressors: let not however any one trust that, being evil, he shall be <i>held</i> guiltless,


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But ask now the beasts, if they may speak to you; and the birds of the air, if they may declare to you.


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If he should withhold the water, he will dry the earth: and if he should let it loose, he overthrows and destroys it.


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Causing the nations to wander, and destroying them: overthrowing the nations, and leading them <i>away</i>.


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Perplexing the minds of the princes of the earth: and he causes them to wander in a way, they have not known, <i>saying</i>,


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Let them grope <i>in</i> darkness, and <i>let there be</i> no light, and let them wander as a drunken man.<pb/>


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For <i>it were</i> well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things <i>in your power</i> you° should attach yourselves to him,


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And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body <i>like a body</i> of clay.


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Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.


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Will you be startled <i>at me</i>, as <i>at</i> a leaf shaken by the wind? or will you set yourself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?


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And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.


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if even his life should be <i>but</i> one day upon the earth: and his months are numbered by him: you have appointed <i>him</i> for a time, and he shall by no means exceed <i>it</i>.


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For there is hope for a tree, even if it should be cut down, <i>that</i> it shall blossom again, and its branch shall not fail.


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And man that has lain down <i>in death</i> shall certainly not rise again till the heaven be dissolved, and they shall not awake from their sleep.


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For oh that you had kept me in the grave, and had hidden me until your wrath should cease, and you should set me a time in which you would remember me!


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For if a man should die, shall he live <i>again</i>, having accomplished the days of his life? I will wait till I exist again?


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And you have sealed up my transgressions in a bag, and marked if I have been guilty of any transgression unawares.


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The waters wear the stones, and waters falling headlong <i>overflow</i> a heap of the earth: and you destroy the hope of man.


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Will a wise man give for answer a <i>mere</i> breath of wisdom? and does he fill up the pain of his belly,


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Or have you heard the ordinance of the Lord? or has God used you as <i>his</i> counsellor? and has wisdom come <i>only</i> to you?


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You have been scourged for <i>but</i> few of your sins: you have spoken haughtily <i>and</i> extravagantly.


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that you have vented <i>your</i> rage before the Lord, and delivered such words from <i>your</i> mouth?


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For who, being a mortal, <i>is such</i> that he shall be blameless? or, <i>who that is</i> born of a woman, that he should be just?


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All the life of the ungodly <i>is spent</i> in care, and the years granted to the oppressor are numbered.


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Let him not trust that he shall return from darkness, for he has been already made over to the power of the sword.


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And he has been appointed to be food for vultures; and he knows within himself that he is doomed to be a carcass: and a dark day shall carry him away as with a whirlwind.


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For he has lifted his hands against the Lord, and he has hardened his neck against the Almighty Lord.


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And let him lodge in desolate cities, and enter into houses without inhabitant: and what they have prepared, others shall carry away.


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Neither shall he at all grow rich, nor shall his substance remain: he shall not cast a shadow upon the earth.


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Neither shall he in any wise escape the darkness: let the wind blast his blossom, and let his flower fall off.


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And let him be gathered as the unripe grape before the time, and let him fall as the blossom of the olive.


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For death is the witness of an ungodly man, and fire shall burn the houses of them that receive gifts.


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For if I should speak, I shall not feel the pain of my wound: and if I should be silent, how shall I be wounded the less?


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In his anger he has cast me down; he has gnashed his teeth upon me: the weapons of his robbers have fallen upon me.


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He has attacked me with the keen glances of his eyes; with his sharp <i>spear</i> he has struck me <i>down</i> upon my knees; and they have run upon me with one accord.


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When I was at peace he distracted me: he took me by the hair of the head, and plucked it out: he set me up as a mark.


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They surrounded me with spears, aiming at my reins: without sparing <i>me</i> they poured out my gall upon the ground.


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He shall promise mischief to <i>his</i> companions: but <i>their</i> eyes have failed for <i>their</i> children.


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Anger has possessed you: for what if you should die; would <i>the earth</i> under heaven be desolate? or shall the mountains be overthrown from their foundations?


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His light <i>shall be</i> darkness in <i>his</i> habitation, and his lamp shall be put out with him.


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And let health be utterly banished from his tabernacle, and let distress seize upon him with a charge from the king.


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But strangers shall dwell in his possessions: the last groaned for him, and wonder seized the first.


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How long will you° vex my soul, and destroy me with words? only know that the Lord has dealt with me thus.


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Yes verily, I have erred in truth, (but the error abides with myself) in having spoken words which it was not right <i>to speak</i>; and my words err, and are unreasonable.


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Behold, I laugh at reproach; I will not speak: <i>or</i> I will cry out, but <i>there is</i> nowhere judgment.


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My brethren have stood aloof from me; they have recognized strangers <i>rather</i> than me: and my friends have become pitiless.


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<i>and</i> to raise up upon the earth my skin that endures these <i>sufferings</i>: for these things have been accomplished to me of the Lord;


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which I am conscious of in myself, which my eye has seen, and not another, but all have been fulfilled to me in <i>my</i> bosom.


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But if you° shall also say, What shall we say before him, and <i>so</i> find the root of the matter in him?


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Do you° also beware of deceit: for wrath will come upon transgressors; and then shall they know where their substance is.<pb/>


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For when he shall seem to be now established, then he shall utterly perish: and they that knew him shall say, Where is he?


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The eye has looked upon him, but shall not <i>see him</i> again; and his place shall no longer perceive him.


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His bones have been filled with <i>vigour of</i> his youth, and it shall lie down with him in the dust.


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<i>His</i> wealth unjustly collected shall be vomited up; a messenger <i>of wrath</i> shall drag him out of his house.


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He has laboured unprofitably and in vain, <i>for</i> wealth of which he shall not taste: <i>it is</i> as a lean thing, unfit for food, which he can’t swallow.


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For he has broken down the houses of many mighty men: and he has plundered an habitation, though he built <i>it</i> not.


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But when he shall seem to be just satisfied, he shall be straitened; and all distress shall come upon him.


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If by any means he would fill his belly, let <i>God</i> send upon him the fury of wrath; let him bring a torrent of pains upon him.


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And let the arrow pierce through his body; and let the stars be against his dwelling-place: let terrors come upon him.


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And let all darkness wait for him: a fire that burns not out shall consume him; and let a stranger plague his house.


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This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of his goods <i>appointed him</i> by the all-seeing <i>God</i>.<pb/>


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Their houses are prosperous, neither <i>have they</i> any where <i>cause for</i> fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.


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And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before <i>them</i>, taking up the lute and harp;


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What is the Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?


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Nevertheless, the lamp of the ungodly also shall be put out, and destruction shall come upon them, and pangs of vengeance shall seize them.


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Let his substance fail <i>to supply</i> his children: <i>God</i> shall recompense him, and he shall know it.


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so that you° will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?


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For the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.


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The stones of the valley have been sweet to him, and every man shall depart after him, and <i>there are</i> innumerable <i>ones</i> before him.


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For what matters it to the Lord, if you were blameless in <i>your</i> works? or is it profitable that you should perfect your way?


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And you have taken security of your brethren for nothing, and have taken away the clothing of the naked.


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And you have accepted the persons of some; and you have established those <i>that were already settled</i> on the earth.


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Verily their substance has been utterly destroyed, and the fire shall devour what is left of their <i>property</i>.


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And if you shall turn and humble yourself before the Lord, you have <i>thus</i> removed unrighteousness far from your habitation.


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You shall lay up for yourself <i>treasure</i> in a heap on the rock; and Sophir <i>shall be</i> as the rock of the torrent.


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So the Almighty shall be your helper from enemies, and he shall bring you forth pure as silver that has been tried by fire.


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And he shall establish to you again a habitation of righteousness and there shall be light upon your paths.


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Because you have humbled yourself; and you shall say, <i>Man</i> has behaved proudly, but he shall save him that is of lowly eyes.


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And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.


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For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know <i>concerning</i> the latter end?


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When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed <i>it</i> not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see <i>it</i>.


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And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,


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Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.


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For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered <i>me</i> before my face.<pb/>


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They have turned aside the weak from the right way: and the meek of the earth have hidden themselves together.


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And they have departed like asses in the field, having gone forth on my account according to their own order: his bread is sweet to <i>his</i> little ones.


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They have reaped a field that was not their own before the time: the poor have laboured in the vineyards of the ungodly without pay and without food.


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They have caused many naked to sleep without clothes, and they have taken away the covering of their body.


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They are wet with the drops of the mountains: they have embraced the rock, because they had no shelter.


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And they have wrongfully caused <i>others</i> to sleep without clothing, and taken away the morsel of the hungry.


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Who have cast forth <i>the</i> poor from the city and their own houses, and the soul of the children has groaned aloud.


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Why then has he not visited these? forasmuch as they were upon the earth, and took no notice, and they knew not the way of righteousness, neither have they walked in their <i>appointed</i> paths?


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But having known their works, he delivered them into darkness: and in the night one will be as a thief:


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and the eye of the adulterer has watched <i>for</i> the darkness, saying, Eye shall not perceive me, and he puts a covering on his face.


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In darkness he digs through houses: by day they conceal themselves securely: they know not the light.


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For the morning is to them all <i>as</i> the shadow of death, for <i>each</i> will be conscious of the terror of the shadow of death.


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He is swift on the face of the water: let his portion be cursed on the earth; and let their plants be laid bare.


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Then is his sin brought to remembrance, and he vanishes like a vapor of dew: but let what he has done be recompensed to him, and let every unrighteous one be crushed like rotten wood.


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And in wrath he has overthrown the helpless: therefore when he has arisen, <i>a man</i> will not feel secure of his own life.


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For his exaltation has hurt many; but he has withered as mallows in the heat, or as an ear of corn falling off of itself from the stalk.


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For let none think that there is a respite for robbers: and upon whom will there not come a snare from him?


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For how shall a mortal be just before the Lord? or who that is born of a woman shall purify himself?


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To whom do you attach yourself, or whom are you going to assist? is it not he that <i>has</i> much strength, and <i>he</i> who has a strong arm?


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To whom have you given counsel? is it not to him who has all wisdom? whom will you follow? is it not one who has the greatest power?


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He has encompassed the face of the water by an appointed ordinance, until the end of light and darkness.


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He has calmed the sea with <i>his</i> might, and by <i>his</i> wisdom the whale has been overthrown.


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Behold, these are parts of his way; and we will listen to him at the least intimation of his word: but the strength of his thunder who knows, when he shall employ <i>it</i>?<pb/>


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verily, while my breath is yet in <i>me</i>, and the breath of God which remains to me is in my nostrils,


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but keeping fast to <i>my</i> righteousness I will by no means let it go: for I am not conscious to myself of having done any thing amiss.


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Nay rather, but let my enemies be as the overthrow of the ungodly, and they that rise up against me, as the destruction of transgressors.


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For what is the hope of the ungodly, that he holds to it? will he indeed trust in the Lord <i>and</i> be saved?


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Yet now I will tell you what is in the hand of the Lord: I will not lie concerning the things which are with the Almighty.


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This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of oppressors shall come upon them from the Almighty.


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And a burning wind shall catch him, and he shall depart, and it shall utterly drive him out of his place.


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And <i>God</i> shall cast <i>trouble</i> upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.


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He shall cause <i>men</i> to clap their hands against them, and shall hiss him out of his place.<pb/>


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For there is a place for the silver, whence it comes, and a place for the gold, whence it is refined.


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He has set a bound to darkness, and he searches out every limit: a stone <i>is</i> darkness, and the shadow of death.


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There is a cutting off the torrent by reason of dust: so they that forget the right way are weakened; they are removed from <i>among</i> men.


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Coral and fine pearl shall not be mentioned: but do you esteem wisdom above the most precious things.


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When he made <i>them</i>, thus he saw and numbered them, and made a way for the pealing of the thunder.


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I chose out their way, and sat chief, and lived as a king in the midst of warriors, as one comforting mourners.<pb/>


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But now the youngest have laughed me to scorn, now they reprove me in <i>their</i> turn, whose fathers I set at nothing; whom I did not deem worthy <i>to be with</i> my shepherd dogs.


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<i>One is</i> childless in lack and famine, <i>such as</i> they that fled but lately the distress and misery of drought.


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Who compass the salt places on the sounding <i>shore</i>, who had salt <i>herbs</i> for their food, and were dishonorable and of no repute, in lack of every good thing; who also ate roots of trees by reason of great hunger.


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<i>They are</i> sons of fools and vile men, <i>whose</i> name and glory <i>are</i> quenched from off the earth.


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For he has opened his quiver and afflicted me: they also have cast off the restraint of my presence.


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They have risen up against <i>me</i> on the right hand of <i>their</i> offspring; they have stretched out their foot, and directed against me the ways of their destruction.


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With great force <i>my disease</i> has taken hold of my garment: it has compassed me as the collar of my coat.


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For I know that death will destroy me: for the earth is the house <i>appointed</i> for every mortal.


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Now what portion has God given from above? and is there an inheritance <i>given</i> of the Mighty One from the highest?


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if my foot has turned aside out of the way, or if my heart has followed my eye, and if too I have touched gifts with my hands;


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For the rage of anger is not to be controlled, <i>in the case</i> of defiling <i>another</i> man's wife.


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what then shall I do if the Lord should try me? and if also he should at all visit me, can I make an answer?


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But the helpless missed not whatever need they had, and I did not cause the eye of the widow to fail.


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(for I nourished <i>them</i> as a father from my youth and guided <i>them</i> from my mother's womb.)


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and if the poor did not bless me, and their shoulders were <i>not</i> warmed with the fleece of my lambs;


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and if too I rejoiced when my wealth was abundant, and if too I laid my hand on innumerable <i>treasures</i>:


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(do we not see the shining sun eclipsed, and the moon waning? for they have not <i>power to continue</i>:)


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let this also then be reckoned to me as the greatest iniquity: for I <i>should</i> have lied against the Lord Most High.


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And if too my handmaids have often said, Oh that we might be satisfied with his flesh; (whereas I was very kind:


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(for I did not stand in awe of a great multitude, so as not to declare boldly before them:) and if too I permitted a poor man to go out of my door with an empty bosom:


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(Oh that I had a hearer,) and if I had not feared the hand of the Lord; and <i>as to</i> the written charge which I had against any one,


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and if I ate its strength alone without price, and if I too grieved the heart of the owner of the soil, by taking <i>anything</i> from <i>him</i>:


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then let the nettle come up to me instead of wheat, and a bramble instead of barley. And Job ceased speaking.<pb/>


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Then Elius the son of Barachiel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, of the country of Ausis, was angered: and he was very angry with Job, because he justified himself before the Lord.


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And he was also very angry with <i>his</i> three friends, because they were not able to return answers to Job, yet set him down for an ungodly man.


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And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.


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And Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and you° are elder, therefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.


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Listen to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until you° shall have tried <i>the matter</i> with words:


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and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,


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And my belly is as a skin of sweet wine, bound up <i>and</i> ready to burst; or as a brazier's laboring bellows.


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My heart <i>shall be found</i> pure by <i>my</i> words; and the understanding of my lips shall meditate purity.


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If you can, give me an answer: wait therefore; stand against me, and I <i>will stand</i> against you.


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But you have said in my ears, (I have heard the voice of your words;) because you say, I am pure, not having sinned;


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For how say you, I am righteous, yet he has not listened to me? for he that is above mortals is eternal.


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<i>sending</i> a dream, or in the meditation of the night; (as when a dreadful alarm happens to fall upon men, in slumberings on the bed:)


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Though there should be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them shall wound him: if he should purpose in his heart to turn to the Lord, and declare to man his fault, and show his folly;


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he will support him, that he should not perish, and will restore his body as <i>fresh</i> plaster upon a wall; and he will fill his bones with morrow.


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And he will make his flesh tender as that of a babe, and he will restore him among men in <i>his</i> full strength.


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And he shall pray to the Lord, and his prayer shall be accepted of him; he shall enter with a cheerful countenance, with a full expression <i>of praise</i>: for he will render to men <i>their</i> due.


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Even then a man shall blame himself, saying, What kind of things have I done? and he has not punished me according to the full amount of my sins.


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<i>saying</i>, I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.


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For you should not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas <i>there is</i> a visitation on him from the Lord.


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Therefore hear me, you° that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the almighty.


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all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.


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<i>He is</i> ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, <i>that says</i> to princes, O most ungodly one.


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<i>Such a one</i> as would not reverence the face of an honorable man, neither knows how to give honor to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.


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But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside <i>from their right</i>.


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For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.


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Who discovers their works, and will bring night about <i>upon them</i>, and they shall be brought low.


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And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether <i>it be done</i> against a nation, or against a man also:


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For <i>there is</i> one that says to the Mighty One, I have received <i>blessings</i>; I will not take a pledge:


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I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do <i>so</i> any more.


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Will he take vengeance for it on you, whereas you will put <i>it</i> far <i>from you</i>? for you shall choose, and not I; and what you know, speak you.


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that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if <i>we</i> speak many words before the Lord.<pb/>


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What is this that you think to be according to right? who are you that you have said, I am righteous before the Lord?


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They that are oppressed of a multitude will be ready to cry out; they will call for help because of the arm of many.


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He beholds them that perform lawless deeds, and he will save me: and do you plead before him, if you can praise him, as it is <i>possible</i> even now.


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He will not turn away his eyes from the righteous, but <i>they shall be</i> with kings on the throne: and he will establish them in triumph, and they shall be exalted.


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And he shall recount to them their works, and their transgressions, for such will act with violence.


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If they should hear and serve <i>him</i>, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in honor.


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But he preserves not the ungodly; because they are not willing to know the Lord, and because when reproved they were disobedient.


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And the hypocrites in heart will array wrath <i>against themselves</i>; they will not cry, because he has bound them.


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<i>there is</i> a deep gulf <i>and</i> a rushing stream beneath it, and your table came down full of fatness. Judgment shall not fail from the righteous;


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but there shall be wrath upon the ungodly, by reason of the ungodliness of the bribes which they received for iniquities.


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Let not <i>your</i> mind willingly turn you aside from the petition of the feeble that are in distress.


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And draw not forth all the mighty <i>men</i> by night, so that the people should go up instead of them.


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Behold, the Mighty One is great, and we shall not know <i>him</i>: the number of his years is even infinite.


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The ancient <i>heavens</i> shall flow, and the clouds overshadow innumerable mortals: he has fixed a time to cattle, and they know the order of rest. <i>Yet</i> by all these things your understanding is not astonished, neither is your mind disturbed in <i>your</i> body.


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And though one should understand the outspreadings of the clouds, <i>or</i> the measure of his tabernacle;


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He has hidden the light in <i>his</i> hands, and given charge concerning it to the interposing <i>cloud</i>.


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The Lord will declare concerning this <i>to</i> his friend: <i>but there is</i> a portion also for unrighteousness.<pb/>


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After him shall be a cry with a <i>loud</i> voice; he shall thunder with the voice of his excellency, yet he shall not cause men to pass away, for one shall hear his voice.


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The Mighty One shall thunder wonderfully with his voice: for he has done great things which we knew not;


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commanding the snow, Be you upon the earth, and the stormy rain, and the storm of the showers of his might.


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And from the breath of the Mighty One he will send frost; and he guides the water in whatever way he pleases.


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And <i>if</i> a cloud obscures <i>what is</i> precious <i>to him</i>, his light will disperse the cloud.


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And he will carry round the encircling <i>clouds</i> by his governance, to <i>perform</i> their works: whatever he shall command them,


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this has been appointed by him on the earth, whether for correction, <i>or</i> for his land, or if he shall find him <i>an object</i> for mercy.


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Will you establish with him <i>foundations</i> for the ancient <i>heavens? they are</i> strong as a molten mirror.


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But the light is not visible to all: it shines afar off in the heavens, as that which is from him in the clouds.


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From the <i>north</i> come the clouds shining like gold: in these great are the glory and honor of the Almighty;


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and we do not find another his equal in strength: <i>as for</i> him that judges justly, do you not think that he listens?


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And after Elius had ceased from speaking, the Lord spoke to Job through the whirlwind and clouds, <i>saying</i>,


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Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in <i>his</i> heart, and thinks to conceal <i>them</i> from me?


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And I said to it, Hitherto shall you come, but you shall not go beyond, but your waves shall be confined within you.


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Or did I order the morning light in your time; and <i>did</i> the morning star <i>then first</i> see his appointed place;


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Or did you take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth?


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And do the gates of death open to you for fear; and did the porters of hell quake when they saw you?


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And have you been instructed in the breadth of the <i>whole earth</i> under heaven? tell me now, what is the extent of it?


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And is there a store <i>of them</i>, for you against the time of <i>your</i> enemies, for the day of wars and battle?


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And whence proceeds the frost? or <i>whence</i> is the south wind dispersed over the <i>whole world</i> under heaven?


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to rain upon the land where <i>there is</i> no man, the wilderness, where there is not a man in it; so as to feed the untrodden and uninhabited <i>land</i>,


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And will you send lightnings, and they shall go? and shall they say to you, What is <i>your pleasure</i>?


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And who has prepared food for the raven? for its young ones wander and cry to the Lord, in search of food.<pb/>


text:
<i>Say</i> if you know the time of the bringing forth of the wild goats of the rock, and <i>if</i> you have marked the calving of the hinds:


text:
and <i>if</i> you have have numbered the full months of their being with young, and <i>if</i> you have relieved their pangs:


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Their young will break forth; they will be multiplied with offspring: <i>their young</i> will go forth, and will not return to them.


text:
And will you believe that he will return to you your seed, and bring <i>it</i> in <i>to</i> your threshing floor?


text:
The peacock has a beautiful wing: if the stork and the ostrich conceive, <i>it is worthy of notice</i>,


text:
She has hardened <i>herself</i> against her young ones, as though <i>she bereaved</i> not herself: she labors in vain without fear.


text:
And when the trumpet sounds, he says, Aha! and afar off he smells the war with prancing and neighing.


text:
And does the hawk remain steady by your wisdom, having spread out her wings unmoved, looking toward the region of the south?


text:
And his young ones roll themselves in blood, and wherever the carcasses may be, immediately they are found.<pb/>


text:
Do not set aside my judgment: and do you think that I have dealt with you in any other way, than that you might appear to be righteous?


text:
And the great trees make a shadow over him with their branches, and <i>so do</i> the bushes of the field.


text:
If there should be a flood, he will not perceive it; he trusts that Jordan will rush up into his mouth.


text:
<i>Yet one</i> shall take him in his sight; <i>one</i> shall catch <i>him</i> with a cord, and pierce his nose.


text:
Hast you not seen him? and have you not wondered at the things said <i>of him</i>? Do you not fear because preparation has been made by me? for who is there that resists me?


text:
I will not be silent because of him: though because of his power <i>one</i> shall pity his antagonist.


text:
The flesh also of his body is joined together: <i>if one</i> pours <i>violence</i> upon him, he shall not be moved.


text:
If spears should come against him, <i>men</i> will effect nothing, <i>either with</i> the spear or the breast-plate.


text:
His lair is <i>formed of</i> sharp points; and all the gold of the sea under him is an immense <i>quantity of</i> clay.


text:
For who is he that hides counsel from you? or who keeps back his words, and thinks to hide them from you? and who will tell me what I knew not, great and wonderful things which I understood not?


text:
And it came to pass after the Lord had spoken all these words to Job, <i>that</i> the Lord said to Eliphaz the Thaemanite, You have sinned, and your two friends: for you° have not said anything true before me, as my servant Job <i>has</i>.


text:
Now then take seven bullocks, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and he shall offer a burnt offering for you. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will only accept him: for but his sake, I would have destroyed you, for you° have not spoken the truth against my servant Job.


text:
So Eliphaz the Thaemanite, and Baldad the Sauchite, and Sophar the Minaean, went and did as the Lord commanded them: and he pardoned their sin for the sake of Job.


text:
And the Lord prospered Job: and when he prayed also for his friends, he forgave them <i>their</i> sin: and the Lord gave Job twice as much, even the double of what he had before.


text:
And all his brethren and his sisters heard all that had happened to him, and they came to him, and <i>so did</i> all that had known him from the first: and they ate and drank with him, and comforted him, and wondered at all that the Lord had brought upon him: and each one gave him a lamb, and four drachmas' weight of gold, even of unstamped <i>gold</i>.


text:
And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job, <i>more</i> than the beginning: and his cattle were fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, a thousand she-asses of the pastures.


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And there were not found in comparison with the daughters of Job, fairer <i>women</i> than they in all the world: and their father gave them an inheritance among their brethren.


text:
And Job lived after <i>his</i> affliction a hundred and seventy years: and all the years he lived were two hundred and forty: and Job saw his sons and his sons' sons, the fourth generation.


text:
And Job died, an old man and full of days: and it is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up. This man is described in the Syriac book <i>as</i> living in the land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia: and his name before was Jobab; and having taken an Arabian wife, he begot a son whose name was Ennon. And he himself was the son of his father Zare, one of the sons of Esau, and of his mother Bosorrha, so that he was the fifth from Abraam. And these were the kings who reigned in Edom, which country he also ruled over: first, Balac, the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dennaba: but after Balac, Jobab, who is called Job, and after him Asom, who was governor out of the country of Thaeman: and after him Adad, the son of Barad, who destroyed Madiam in the plain of Moab; and the name of his city was Gethaim. And <i>his</i> friends who came to him were Eliphaz, of the children of Esau, king of the Thaemanites, Baldad sovereign the Sauchaeans, Sophar king of the Minaeans.


text:
<pb/>Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of <n>[[Gr. ]] pestilent. </n> evil men.<pb/>


text:
But his <n>[[Gr. ]] will. </n> pleasure is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he meditate day and night.<pb/>


text:
And he shall be as a tree planted by the brooks of waters, which shall yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fall off; and whatever he shall do shall be prospered.<pb/>


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Not so the ungodly; —not so: but rather as the <n>[[Or. ]] dust or down. </n> chaff which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth.<pb/>


text:
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ;<pb/>


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declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me,  You are my Son, today have I begotten you.<pb/>


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Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen <i>for</i> your inheritance, and the ends of the earth <i>for</i> your possession.<pb/>


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You shall <n>[[Gr. ]] tend them as a shepherd. Rev. 2. 27. </n> rule them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.<pb/>


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<n>[[Note. ]] - This rendering or a similar one the Jews maintain. </n> Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you° should perish from the righteous way: whenever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.


text:
<t>A Psalm of David, when he fled from the presence of his son Abessalom. </t><pb/>O Lord, why are they that afflict me multiplied? many rise up against me.<pb/>


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Many say concerning my soul, There is no deliverance for him in his God. <n>The word Διάψαλμα (Selah) has been rendered Pause, as most intelligible to the English reader. </n> Pause.<pb/>


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Arise, Lord; deliver me, my God: for you have struck all who were without cause my enemies; you have broken the teeth of sinners.<pb/>


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<t>For the End, a Song of David among <i>the </i>Psalms. </t><pb/>When I called upon <i>him</i>, the God of my righteousness heard me: you have made room for me in tribulation; pity me, and listen to my prayer.<pb/>


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O you° sons of men, how long <i>will you° be</i> <n>[[Lit. ]] heavy of heart. </n> slow of heart? therefore do you° love vanity, and seek falsehood? Pause.<pb/>


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But know you° that the Lord has done wondrous things for his holy one: the Lord will hear me when I cry to him.<pb/>


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Be you° angry, and sin not; feel compunction upon your beds for what you° say in your hearts. Pause.<pb/>


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Many say, Who will show us good things? the light of your countenance, O Lord, has been manifested towards us.<pb/>


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You have put gladness into my heart: they have been satisfied with the fruit of their corn and wine and oil.<pb/>


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I will <n>[[Or. ]] at the same time. </n> both lie down in peace and sleep: for you, Lord, only have caused me to dwell securely.


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<t>For the end, a Psalm of David, concerning her that inherits. </t><pb/>Listen to my words, O Lord, <n>[[Lit. ]] understand. </n> attend to my cry.<pb/>


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For you are not a god that desires iniquity; neither shall the worker of wickedness dwell with you.<pb/>


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Neither shall the transgressors continue in your sight: you hate, O Lord, all them that work iniquity.<pb/>


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But I will enter into your house in the multitude of your mercy: I will worship in your fear toward your holy temple.<pb/>


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Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make my way plain before your face.<pb/>


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For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vain; their  throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit.<pb/>


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Judge them, O God; let them <n>[[Gr. ]] fall from, [[or, ]] by reason of. </n> fail of their counsels: cast them out according to the abundance of their ungodliness; for they have provoked you, O Lord.<pb/>


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But let all that trust on you be glad in you: they shall exult for ever, and you shall dwell among them; and all that love your name shall rejoice in you.<pb/>


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For you, Lord, shall bless the righteous: you have <n>[[Lit. ]] crowned. </n> compassed us as with a shield of favor.


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<t>For the End, a Psalm of David among the Hymns for the eighth. </t><pb/>O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath, neither chasten me in your anger.<pb/>


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<n>[[Gr. ]] I have laboured. </n> I am wearied with my groaning; I shall wash my bed every night; I shall water my couch with tears.<pb/>


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Let all my enemies be put to shame and sore troubled: let them be turned back and grievously put to shame speedily.


text:
<t>A Psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord because of the words of Chusi the <n>[[Lit. ]] son of Jemini. </n> Benjamite. </t><pb/>O Lord my God, in you have I trusted: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.<pb/>


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Lest at any time <i>the enemy</i> seize my soul as a lion, while there is none to ransom, nor to save.<pb/>


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if I have requited with evil those who requited me <i>with good</i>; may I then perish empty by means of my enemies.<pb/>


text:
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; and let him trample my life on the ground, and lay my glory in the dust. Pause.<pb/>


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Arise, O Lord, in your wrath; be exalted <n><i>Heb. 'because of mine enemies.' </i></n> in the utmost boundaries of my enemies: awake, O Lord my God, according to the decree which you did command.<pb/>


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And the congregation of the nations shall compass you: and for this cause do you return on high.<pb/>


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The Lord shall judge the nations: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my innocence that is in me.<pb/>


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Oh let the wickedness of sinners come to an end; and <i>then</i> you shall direct the righteous, O God that search the hearts and reins.<pb/>


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And on it he has fitted the instruments of death; he has completed his arrows for the <n>See <i>Heb. perhaps 'persecuting ones.' </i></n> raging ones.<pb/>


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Behold, he has travailed with unrighteousness, he has conceived trouble, and brought forth iniquity.<pb/>


text:
His trouble shall return on his own head, and his unrighteousness shall come down on his own crown.<pb/>


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I will give thanks to the Lord according to his righteousness; I will sing to the name of the Lord most high.


text:
<t>For the end, concerning the wine presses, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth! for your magnificence is exalted above the heavens.<pb/>


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Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have you perfected praise, because of your enemies; that you might put down the enemy and avenger.<pb/>


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For I will regard the heavens, the work of your fingers; the moon and stars, which you have established.<pb/>


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the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, the <i>creatures</i> passing through the paths of the sea.<pb/>


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<t>For the end, a Psalm of David, concerning the secrets of the Son. </t><pb/>I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will recount all your wonderful works.<pb/>


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For you have maintained my cause and my right; you sat on the throne, that judge righteousness.<pb/>


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You have rebuked the nations, and the ungodly one has perished; you have blotted out their name for ever, even for ever and ever.<pb/>


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The swords of the enemy have failed utterly; and you have destroyed cities: their memorial has been destroyed with a noise,<pb/>


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And let them that know your name hope in you: for you, O Lord, have not failed them that diligently seek you.<pb/>


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For he remembered them, <i>in</i> making inquisition for blood: he has not forgotten the supplication of the poor.<pb/>


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Have mercy upon me, O Lord; look upon my affliction <i>which I suffer</i> of my enemies, you that lift me up from the gates of death:<pb/>


text:
that I may declare all your praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion: I will exult in your salvation.<pb/>


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The heathen are caught in the destruction which they planned: in the very snare which they hid is their foot taken.<pb/>


text:
The Lord is known as executing judgments: the sinner is taken in the works of his hands. A song of Pause.<pb/>


text:
For the poor shall not be forgotten for ever: the patience of the needy ones shall not perish for ever.<pb/>


text:
Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: let the heathen know that they are men. Pause. <pb/>(Psalm 9a<n>[[Note. ]] - Here begins a change of numbers as compared with the <i>Heb. which continues to Ps. 146, this psalm having no number, and the eleventh being called the tenth. The following verses 21-37 are numbered 1-18 in the original text. </i></n>)


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<t>(11 in KJV) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>In the Lord I have put my trust: how will you° say to my soul,<pb/>


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For behold the sinners have bent their <i>bow</i>, they have prepared their arrows for the quiver, to shoot For <n>[[Gr. ]] in dark moon, or little moonlight, [[q. d. ]] luce malignâ </n> privily at the upright in heart.<pb/>


text:
The Lord is in his holy temple, as for the Lord, his throne is in heaven: his eyes look upon the poor, his eyelids try the sons of men.<pb/>


text:
The Lord tries the righteous and the ungodly: and he that loves unrighteousness hates his own soul.<pb/>


text:
He shall rain upon sinners snares, fire, and brimstone, and a stormy blast <i>shall be</i> the portion of their cup.<pb/>


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<t>(12) For the end, A Psalm of David, upon the eighth. </t><pb/>Save me, O Lord; for the godly man has failed; for <n>[[Gr. ]] truths are become rare </n> truth is diminished from among the children of men.<pb/>


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Every one has spoken vanity to his neighbor: their lips are deceitful, they have spoken with a double heart.<pb/>


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Because of the misery of the poor, and because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the Lord, I will set <i>them</i> in safety; I will speak <i>to them</i> thereof openly.<pb/>


text:
The oracles of the Lord are pure oracles; as silver tried in the fire, proved <i>in</i> <n>[[Gr. ]] the earth. </n> a furnace of earth, purified seven times.<pb/>


text:
<t>(13) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>How long, O Lord, will you forget me? for ever? how long will you turn away your face from me?<pb/>


text:
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, <i>having</i> sorrows in my heart daily? how long shall my enemy be exalted over me?<pb/>


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lest at any time my enemy say, I have prevailed against him: my persecutors will exult if ever I should be moved.<pb/>


text:
<t>(14) For the end, Psalm of David. </t><pb/>The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted <i>themselves</i>, and become abominable in their devices; there is none that does goodness, there is not even so much as one.<pb/>


text:
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any that understood, or sought after god.<pb/>


text:
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become good for nothing, there is none that does good, no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.<pb/>


text:
Will not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people as they would eat bread? they have not called upon the Lord.<pb/>


text:
There were they alarmed with fear, where there was no fear; for God is in the righteous generation.<pb/>


text:
<t>(15) A Psalm of David. </t><pb/>O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tabernacle? and who shall dwell in your holy mountain?<pb/>


text:
Who has not spoken craftily with is tongue, neither has done evil to his neighbor, nor taken up a reproach against them that lived nearest to him.<pb/>


text:
In his sight an evil-worker is set at nothing, but he honors them that fear the Lord. He swears to his neighbor, and disappoints <i>him</i> not.<pb/>


text:
I said to the Lord, You are my Lord; for you have no need of my <n>[[Gr. ]] good deeds, or things. </n> goodness.<pb/>


text:
Their weaknesses have been multiplied; afterward they hasted. I will by no means assemble their bloody meetings, neither will I make mention of their names with my lips.<pb/>


text:
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: you are he that restores my inheritance to me.


text:
<t>(17) A prayer of David. </t><pb/>Listen, O Lord <n>[[Or, ]] to my righteous plea, etc. </n> of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not <i>uttered</i> with deceitful lips.<pb/>


text:
You have proved my heart; you have visited <i>me</i> by night; you have tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: <i>I am purposed</i> that my mouth shall not speak <i>amiss</i>.<pb/>


text:
As for the works of men, by the words of your lips I have <n>[[Lit. ]] I have observed hard ways. </n> guarded <i>myself from</i> hard ways.<pb/>


text:
Keep me as the apple of the eye from those that resist your right hand: you shall screen me by the covering of your wings,<pb/>


text:
They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes <i>so as</i> to bow them down to the ground.


text:
<t>(18) For the end, <i>a Psalm</i> of David, the servant of the Lord; <i>the words</i> which he spoke to the Lord, <i>even</i> the words of this Song, in the day in which the Lord delivered him out the hand of all his enemies, and out the hand of Saul: and he said: </t><pb/>I will love you, O Lord, my strength.<pb/>


text:
The Lord is my firm support, and my refuge, and my deliverer; my God is my helper, I will hope in him; <i>he is</i> my defender, and the horn of my salvation, and my helper.<pb/>


text:
And when I was afflicted I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: he heard my voice out of this holy temple, and my cry shall enter before him, <i>even</i> into his ears.<pb/>


text:
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains were disturbed, and were shaken, because God was angry with them.<pb/>


text:
There went up a smoke in his wrath, and fire burst into a flame at his presence: coals were kindled at it.<pb/>


text:
And he made darkness his secret place: round about him was his tabernacle, <i>even</i> dark water in the clouds of the air.<pb/>


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And he sent forth <i>his</i> weapons, and scattered them; and multiplied lightnings, and routed them.<pb/>


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And the springs of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blasting of the breath of your wrath.


text:
<t>(19) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.<pb/>


text:
There are no speeches or words, <n>[[Gr. ]] of which. </n> in which their voices are not heard.<pb/>


text:
In the sun he has set his tabernacle; and he comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber: he will exult as a giant to run his course.<pb/>


text:
His going forth is from the extremity of heaven, and his <n>[[Gr. ]] meeting. </n> circuit to the <i>other</i> end of heaven: and no one shall be hidden from his heat.<pb/>


text:
The law of the Lord is <n>[[Gr. ]] spotless. </n> perfect, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, instructing babes.<pb/>


text:
The ordinances of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is bright, enlightening the eyes.<pb/>


text:
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, <i>and</i> justified altogether.<pb/>


text:
To be desired more than gold, and much precious stone: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb.<pb/>


text:
And spare your servant <i>the attack</i> of strangers: if they do not gain the dominion over me, then shall I be blameless, and I shall be clear from great sin.<pb/>


text:
<t>(20) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>The Lord hear you in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend you.<pb/>


text:
Remember all your <n>[[Or, ]] meat offering. </n> sacrifice, and enrich your whole burnt offering. Pause.<pb/>


text:
We will exult in your salvation, and in the name of our God shall we be magnified: the Lord fulfil all your petitions.<pb/>


text:
Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ: he shall hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is mighty.<pb/>


text:
Some <i>glory</i> in chariots, and some in horses: but we will <n>[[Gr. ]] be magnified. </n> glory in the name of the Lord our God.<pb/>


text:
<t>(21) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>O Lord, the king shall rejoice in your strength; and in your salvation he shall greatly exult.<pb/>


text:
You have granted him the desire of his soul, and have not withheld from him the request of his lips. Pause.<pb/>


text:
For you have prevented him with blessings of goodness: you have set upon his head a crown of precious stone.<pb/>


text:
For you will give him a blessing for ever and ever: you will gladden him with joy with your countenance.<pb/>


text:
You shall make them as a fiery oven at the time of your presence: the Lord shall trouble them in his anger, and fire shall devour them.


text:
<t>(22) For the end, concerning the morning aid, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>O God, my God, attend to me: why have you forsaken me? the account of my transgressions is far from my salvation.<pb/>


text:
O my God, I will cry to you by day, but you will not hear: and by night, and <i>it shall</i> not <i>be accounted</i> for folly to me.<pb/>


text:
All that saw me mocked me: they spoke with <i>their</i> lips, they shook the head, <i>saying</i>,<pb/>


text:
In a place of green grass, there he has made me dwell: he has nourished me by the water of rest.<pb/>


text:
He has restored my soul: he has guided me into the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake.<pb/>


text:
Yes, even if I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of evils: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, these have comforted me.<pb/>


text:
You have prepared a table before me in presence of them that afflict me: you have thoroughly anointed my head with oil; and your cup cheers me like the best <i>wine</i>.<pb/>


text:
<t></t>(24) A Psalm for David on the first day of the week. <pb/>The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell in it.<pb/>


text:
He that is innocent in his hands and pure in his heart; who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully <n>[[Or, ]] against. </n> to his neighbor.<pb/>


text:
O my God, I have trusted in you: let me not be confounded, neither let my enemies laugh me to scorn.<pb/>


text:
For none of them that wait on you shall in any wise be ashamed: let them be ashamed that transgress without cause.<pb/>


text:
Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my Saviour: and I have waited on you all the day.<pb/>


text:
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor <i>my sins</i> of ignorance: remember me according to your mercy, for your goodness' sake, O Lord.<pb/>


text:
Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he <n>[[sc. ]] as a law-giver </n> instruct sinners in <i>the</i> way.<pb/>


text:
<t>(26) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in my innocence: and hoping in the Lord I shall not be moved.<pb/>


text:
I will wash my hands in <n>[[Gr. ]] innocent  [[d things. ]][[d* ]]</n> innocency, and compass your altar, O Lord:<pb/>


text:
<t>(27) <i>A Psalm</i> of David, before he was anointed. </t><pb/>The Lord is my light and my Saviour; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?<pb/>


text:
When evil-doers drew near against me to eat up my flesh, my persecutors and my enemies, they fainted and fell.<pb/>


text:
Though an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be afraid: though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident.<pb/>


text:
One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek: that I should dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, that I should behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and survey his temple.<pb/>


text:
For in the day of my afflictions he hid me in his tabernacle: he sheltered me in the secret of his tabernacle; he set me up on a rock.<pb/>


text:
And now, behold, he has lifted up my head over my enemies: I went round and offered in his tabernacle the sacrifice of <n>[[Gr. ]] shouting. </n> joy; I will sing <n>[[Or, ]] and play on a lute. </n> even sing psalms to the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Turn not your face away from me, turn not you away from your servant in anger: be you my helper, forsake me not; and, O God my Saviour, overlook me not.<pb/>


text:
Deliver me not over to the desire of them that afflict me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and injustice has lied within herself.


text:
<t>(28) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>To you, O Lord, have I cried; my God, be not silent toward me: lest you be silent toward me, and so I should be likened to them that go down to the pit.<pb/>


text:
Listen to the voice of my supplication, when I pray to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy temple.<pb/>


text:
Draw not away my soul with sinners, and destroy me not with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbors, but evils are in their hearts.<pb/>


text:
Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their devices: give them according to the works of their hands; render their recompense to them.<pb/>


text:
Because they have not attended to the works of the Lord, even to the works of his hands, you shall pull them down, and shall not build them up.<pb/>


text:
The Lord is my helper and my defender; my heart has hoped in him, and I am helped: my flesh has revived, and willingly will I <n>[[Or, ]] confess to him. </n> give praise to him.<pb/>


text:
The Lord is the strength of his people, and the <n>[[Gr. ]] defender of the salvation of. </n> saving defender of his anointed.<pb/>


text:
<t>(29) A Psalm of David <i>on the occasion</i> of the solemn assembly of the Tabernacle. </t><pb/>Bring to the Lord, you° sons of God, bring to the Lord young rams; bring to the Lord glory and honor.<pb/>


text:
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory has thundered: the Lord is upon many waters.<pb/>


text:
<i>There is</i> the voice of the Lord who breaks the cedars; the Lord will break the cedars of Libanus.<pb/>


text:
And he will beat them small, <i>even</i> Libanus itself, like a calf; and the beloved one is as a young unicorn.<pb/>


text:
The voice of the Lord <n>[[Gr. ]] participle. </n> strengthens the hinds, and will uncover the thickets: and in his temple every one speaks <i>of his</i> glory.


text:
<t>(30) For the end, a Psalm <n>[[Gr. ]] of a song. </n> and Song at the dedication of the house of David. </t><pb/>I will exalt you, O Lord; for you have lifted me up, and not caused my enemies to rejoice over me.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Hades, you have delivered me from <i>among</i> them that go down to the pit.<pb/>


text:
For anger is in his wrath, but life in his favor: weeping shall wait for the evening, but joy shall be in the morning.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, in your good pleasure you did add strength to my beauty: but you did turn away your face, and I was troubled.<pb/>


text:
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to destruction? Shall the dust give praise to you? or shall it declare your truth?<pb/>


text:
You have turned my mourning into joy for me: you have torn off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;


text:
<t>(31) For the end, a Psalm of David, <i>an utterance</i> of <n>[[Gr. ]] ecstasy. See title. </n> extreme fear. </t><pb/>O Lord, I have hoped in you; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness and rescue me.<pb/>


text:
Incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me: be you to me for a protecting God, and for a house of refuge to save me.<pb/>


text:
For you are my strength and my refuge; and you shall guide me for your name's sake, and maintain me.<pb/>


text:
You shall bring me out of the snare which they have hidden for me; for you, O Lord, are my defender.<pb/>


text:
I will exult and be glad in your mercy: for you have looked upon my affliction; you have saved my soul from distresses.<pb/>


text:
Pity me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: my eye is troubled with indignation, my soul and my belly.<pb/>


text:
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with groanings: my strength has been weakened through poverty, and my bones are troubled.<pb/>


text:
I became a reproach among all my enemies, but exceedingly so to my neighbors, and a fear to my acquaintance: they that saw me without fled from me.<pb/>


text:
<t>(32) <i>A Psalm</i> of <n>[[Gr. ]] for [[or, ]] of. </n> instruction by David. </t><pb/>Blessed <i>are they</i> whose transgressions are forgiven, and who sins are covered.<pb/>


text:
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me: I became thoroughly miserable while a <n>See <i>Heb. </i></n> thorn was fastened in <i>me</i>. Pause.<pb/>


text:
I acknowledged my sin, and hid not my iniquity: I said, I will confess my iniquity to the Lord against myself; and you forgave the ungodliness of my heart. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Therefore shall every holy one pray to you in a fit time: only in the deluge of many waters they shall not come near to him.<pb/>


text:
You are my refuge from the affliction that encompasses me; my joy, to deliver me from them that have compassed me. Pause.<pb/>


text:
I will instruct you and guide you in this way wherein you shall go: I will fix my eyes upon you.<pb/>


text:
Be you° not as horse and mule, which have no understanding; <n>See [[Alex. ]] ἄγξεις </n> <i>but you must</i> constrain their jaws with bit and curb, lest they should come near to you.<pb/>


text:
<t>(33) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>Rejoice in the Lord, you° righteous; praise becomes the upright.<pb/>


text:
<n>Rather, 'confess' [[or ]] give thanks to.' </n> Praise the Lord on the harp; platy to him on a lute of ten strings.<pb/>


text:
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are <n>Rather, [[Gr. ]] in [[or ]] with faithfulness. </n> faithful.<pb/>


text:
By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the host of them by the breath of his <i>mouth</i>.<pb/>


text:
The Lord frustrates the counsels of the nations; he brings to nothing also the reasonings of the peoples, and brings to nothing the counsels of princes.<pb/>


text:
But the counsel of the Lord endures for ever, the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.


text:
<t>(34) <i>A Psalm</i> of David, when he changed his countenance before Abimelech; and he let him go, and he departed. </t><pb/>I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be continually in my mouth.<pb/>


text:
My soul shall <n>[[Gr. ]] be praised. </n> boast herself in the Lord: let the meek hear, and rejoice.<pb/>


text:
I sought the Lord diligently, and he listened to me, and delivered me from all my <n>[[Lit. ]] neighbourhoods. </n> sojournings.<pb/>


text:
This poor man cried, and the Lord listened to him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions.<pb/>


text:
The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not lack any good thing. Pause.<pb/>


text:
but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to destroy their memorial from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord listened to them,<pb/>


text:
The Lord is near to <n>[[Gr. ]] the broken in heart. </n> them that are of a contrite heart; and will save the lowly in spirit.<pb/>


text:
<t>(35) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>Judge you, O Lord, them that injure me, fight against them that fight against me.<pb/>


text:
Bring forth a sword, and stop <i>the way</i> against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am your salvation.<pb/>


text:
Let them that seek my soul be ashamed and confounded: let them that devise evils against me be turned back and put to shame.<pb/>


text:
For without cause they have hid for me their destructive snare: without a cause they have reproached my soul.<pb/>


text:
Let a snare which they know not come upon them; and the gin which they hid take them; and let them fall into the very same snare.<pb/>


text:
All my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like to you? delivering the poor out of the hand of them that are stronger than he, yes, the poor and needy one from them that spoil him.<pb/>


text:
But I, when they troubled me, put on sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting: and my prayer shall return to my <i>own</i> bosom.<pb/>


text:
I behaved agreeably towards them as <i>if it had been</i> our neighbor <i>or</i> brother: I humbled myself as one mourning and sad of countenance.<pb/>


text:
Yet they rejoiced against me, and plagues were <n>The [[Gr. ]] is repeated, by a Hebraism. </n> plentifully brought against me, and I knew <i>it</i> not: they were scattered, but <n>See Acts 2. 37. </n> repented not.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, when will you look upon me? Deliver my soul from their mischief, my only-begotten one from the lions.<pb/>


text:
I will give thanks to you even in a great congregation: in an abundant people I will praise you.<pb/>


text:
Let not them that are my enemies without a cause rejoice against me; who hate me for nothing, and wink with their eyes.<pb/>


text:
<t>(36) For the end, by David the servant of the Lord. </t><pb/>The transgressor, that he may sin, says within himself, <i>that</i>  there is no fear of God before his eyes.<pb/>


text:
For he has dealt craftily before him, <n>[[q. d. ]] with regard to the discovering. </n> to discover his iniquity and hate it.<pb/>


text:
The words of his mouth are transgression and deceit: he is not inclined to understand <i>how</i> to do good.<pb/>


text:
Your righteousness is as the <n>[[Or, ]] vast mountains. </n> mountains of God, your judgments are as a great deep: O Lord, you will preserve men and beasts.<pb/>


text:
How have you multiplied your mercy, O God! so the children of men shall trust in the shelter of your wings.<pb/>


text:
They shall be <n>[[Gr. ]] intoxicated. </n> fully satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shall cause them to drink of the full stream of your delights.<pb/>


text:
<t>(37) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>Fret not yourself because of evil-doers, neither be envious of them that do iniquity.<pb/>


text:
Hope in the Lord, and do good; and dwell on the land, and you shall be fed with the wealth of it.<pb/>


text:
Submit yourself to the Lord, and supplicate him: fret not yourself because of him that prospers in his way, at the man that does unlawful deeds.<pb/>


text:
For evil-doers shall be destroyed: but they that wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the land.<pb/>


text:
And yet a little while, and the sinner shall not be, and you shall seek for his place, and shall not find <i>it</i>.<pb/>


text:
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight <i>themselves</i> in the abundance of peace.<pb/>


text:
<t>(38) A Psalm of David for remembrance concerning the Sabbath-day. </t><pb/>O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath, neither chasten me in your anger.<pb/>


text:
For there is no health in my flesh because of your anger; there is no peace to my bones because of my sins.<pb/>


text:
For my transgressions have gone over my head: they have pressed heavily upon me like a weighty burden.<pb/>


text:
I have been wretched and bowed down continually: I went with a mourning countenance all the day.<pb/>


text:
I have been afflicted and brought down exceedingly: I have roared for the groaning of my heart.<pb/>


text:
My friends and my neighbors drew near before me, and stood still; and my nearest of kin stood afar off.<pb/>


text:
While they pressed hard upon me that sought my soul: and they that sought my hurt spoke vanities, and devised deceits all the day.<pb/>


text:
For I said, Lest my enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me.<pb/>


text:
<t>(39) For the end, a Song of David, to Idithun. </t><pb/>I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I set a guard on my mouth, while the sinner stood in my presence.<pb/>


text:
I was dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good <i>words</i>; and my grief was renewed.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, make me to know my end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.<pb/>


text:
Behold, you have made my days <n>[[Alex. ]] a span long. </n> old; and my existence <i>is</i> as nothing before you: nay, every man living <i>is</i> altogether vanity. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Surely man walks in a <n>[[Gr. ]] image. </n> shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them.<pb/>


text:
And now what <i>is</i> my expectation? <i>is it</i> not the Lord? and my ground <i>of hope</i> is with you. Pause.<pb/>


text:
You chasten man with rebukes for iniquity, and you make his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. Pause.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, listen to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers <i>were</i>.<pb/>


text:
<t>(40) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>I waited patiently for the Lord; and he attended to me, and listened to my supplication.<pb/>


text:
And he brought me up out of a pit of misery, and from miry clay: and he set my feet on a rock, and ordered my goings aright.<pb/>


text:
And he put a new song into my mouth, <i>even</i> a hymn to our God: many shall see <i>it</i>, and fear, and shall hope in the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Blessed <i>is</i> the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and <i>who</i> has not regarded vanities and false frenzies.<pb/>


text:
O Lord my God, you have multiplied your wonderful works, and in your thoughts there is none who shall be likened to you: I declared and spoke <i>of them</i>: they exceeded number.<pb/>


text:
Sacrifice and offering you would not; but a body have you prepared me: whole burnt offering and <i>sacrifice</i> for sin you did not require.<pb/>


text:
Then I said, Behold, I <n>[[Or, ]] am come. </n> come: in the volume of the book it is written concerning me,<pb/>


text:
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; behold! I will not refrain my lips; O Lord, you know my righteousness.<pb/>


text:
I have not hid your truth within my heart, and I have declared your salvation; I have not hid your mercy and your truth from the great congregation.<pb/>


text:
But you, Lord, remove not your compassion far from me; your mercy and your truth have helped me continually.<pb/>


text:
For innumerable evils have encompassed me; my transgressions have taken hold of me, and I could not see; they are multiplied more than the hairs of my head; and my heart has failed me.<pb/>


text:
<t>(41) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>Blessed <i>is the man</i> who thinks, on the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in an evil day.<pb/>


text:
May the Lord preserve him and keep him alive, and bless him on the earth, and not deliver him into the hands of his enemy.<pb/>


text:
Mine enemies have spoken evil against me, <i>saying</i>, When shall he die, and his name perish?<pb/>


text:
And if he came to see <i>me</i>, his heart spoke vainly; he gathered iniquity to himself; he went forth and spoke in like manner.<pb/>


text:
They denounced a wicked word against me, <i>saying</i>, Now that he lies, shall he not rise up again?<pb/>


text:
For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted,  who ate my bread, lifted up <i>his</i> heel against me.<pb/>


text:
But you did help me because of <i>my</i> innocence, and have established me before you for ever.<pb/>


text:
<t>(42) For the end, <i>a Psalm</i> for instruction, for the sons of Core. </t><pb/>As the hart earnestly desires the fountains of water, so my soul earnestly longs for you, O God.<pb/>


text:
I remembered these things, and poured out my soul in me, for I will go to the place of your wondrous tabernacle, <i>even</i> to the house of God, with a voice of exultation and thanksgiving and of the sound of those who keep festival. <n>See [[Appendix, ]] which has: There are several difficulties connected with this passage. In the first place it seems evident that the LXX. read בסך, and the English translators בסר, or something similar. The Hebrew Text (to which no קרי is appended) thus far favours the LXX.; who, however, appear to have read אררס as a part of ארר, and made an adjective of it. Again, τόπῳ has nothing immediately answering it in the Hebrew, and may be accounted for on the principle so often referred to of [[double translation.]]</n><pb/>


text:
Therefore are you very sad, O my soul? and therefore do you trouble me? hope in God; for I will give thanks to him; <i>he is</i> the salvation of my countenance.<pb/>


text:
O my God, my soul has been troubled within me: therefore will I remember you from the land of Jordan, and of the Ermonites, from the little hill.<pb/>


text:
Deep calls to deep at the voice of your cataracts: all your billows and your waves have gone over me.<pb/>


text:
By day the Lord will command his mercy, and <n>[[Heb. ]] and [[Alex. ]] his song shall be, etc. </n> manifest <i>it</i> by night: with me <i>is</i> prayer to the God of my life.<pb/>


text:
I will say to God, You are my helper; why have you forgotten me? therefore do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses <i>me</i>?<pb/>


text:
While my bones were breaking, they that afflicted me reproached me; while they said to me daily, Where is your God?<pb/>


text:
<t>(43) A Psalm of David. </t><pb/>Judge me, O God, and plead my cause, against an ungodly nation: deliver me from the unjust and crafty man.<pb/>


text:
For you, O God, are my strength: therefore have you cast me off? and why do I go sad of countenance, while the enemy oppresses <i>me</i>?<pb/>


text:
Send forth your light and your truth: they have led me, and brought me to your holy mountain, and to your tabernacles.<pb/>


text:
And I will go in to the altar of God, to God who gladdens my youth: I will give thanks to you on the harp, O God, my God.<pb/>


text:
<t>(44) For the end, a Psalm for <n>[[Gr. ]] understanding. </n> instruction, for the sons of Core. </t><pb/>O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, the work which you wrought in their days, in the days of old.<pb/>


text:
Your hand utterly destroyed the heathen, and you did plant them: you did afflict the nations, and cast them out.<pb/>


text:
For they inherited not the land by their <i>own</i> sword, and their <i>own</i> arm did not deliver them; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, because you were well pleased in them.<pb/>


text:
In you will we push down our enemies, and in your name will we bring to nothing them that rise up against us.


text:
<t>(45) For the end, for <n>See also Ps 68 and 79, titles; [[q. d. ]] repeated, see <i>Hebrew. </i></n> alternate <i>strains</i> by the sons of Core; for instruction, a Song concerning the beloved. </t><pb/>My heart <n>[[Lit. ]] eructavit. </n> has uttered a good matter: I declare my works to the king: my tongue is the pen of a quick writer.<pb/>


text:
You are more beautiful than the sons of men: grace has been shed forth on your lips: therefore God has blessed you for ever.<pb/>


text:
and bend <i>your bow</i>, and prosper, and reign, because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and your right hand shall guide you wonderfully.<pb/>


text:
Your weapons are sharpened, Mighty One, (the nations shall fall under you) <i>they are</i> in the heart of the king's enemies.<pb/>


text:
Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of your kingdom is a sceptre of righteousness.<pb/>


text:
You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your fellows.<pb/>


text:
Myrrh, and stacte, and cassia <i>are exhaled</i> from your garments, <i>and</i> out of the ivory palaces,<pb/>


text:
with which kings' daughters have gladdened you for your honor: the queen stood by on your right hand, clothed in vesture wrought with gold, <i>and</i> arrayed in various colors.<pb/>


text:
Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear; forget also your people, and your father's house.<pb/>


text:
And the daughter of Tyre shall adore him with gifts; the rich of the people of the land shall supplicate your <n>[[Gr. ]] face. </n> favor.<pb/>


text:
All her glory <i>is that</i> of the daughter of the king <n>[[Alex. ]] ἔσωθεν, within, so [[Heb.]]</n> of Esebon, robed <i>as she is</i> in golden fringed garments,<pb/>


text:
in embroidered <i>clothing</i>: virgins shall be brought to the king after her: her fellows shall be brought to you.<pb/>


text:
Instead of your fathers children are born to you: you shall make them princes over all the earth.<pb/>


text:
<t>(46) For the end, for the sons of Core; a Psalm concerning secret things. </t><pb/>God is our refuge and strength, a help in the afflictions that have come heavily upon us.<pb/>


text:
Therefore will we not fear when the earth is troubled, and the mountains are removed into the depths of the seas.<pb/>


text:
Their waters have roared and been troubled, the mountains have been troubled by his might. Pause.<pb/>


text:
The flowings of the river gladden the city of God: the Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.<pb/>


text:
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her <n>[[Alex. ]] and [[Heb. ]] before, [[or, ]] toward the morning. </n> with his countenance.<pb/>


text:
Putting an end to wars as for the ends of the earth; he will crush the bow, and break in pieces the weapon, and burn the bucklers with fire.<pb/>


text:
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.<pb/>


text:
<t>(47) For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. </t><pb/>Clap your hands, all you° nations; shout to God with a voice of exultation.<pb/>


text:
<t>(48) A Psalm of <n>A song. </n> praise for the sons of Core on the second <i>day</i> of the week. </t><pb/>Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.<pb/>


text:
The city of the great King is well planted <i>on</i> the mountains of Sion, with the joy of the whole earth, <i>on</i> the sides of the north.<pb/>


text:
As we have heard, so have we also seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God has founded it for ever. Pause.<pb/>


text:
<t>(49) For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. </t><pb/>Hear these words, all you° nations, listen, all you° that dwell upon the earth:<pb/>


text:
both the <n>[[Gr. ]] earth-born. </n> sons of mean men, and sons of <i>great</i> men; the rich and poor <i>man</i> together.<pb/>


text:
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall bring <i>forth</i> understanding.<pb/>


text:
I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my <n>[[Gr. ]] problem. </n> riddle on the harp.<pb/>


text:
Therefore <n>[[Gr. ]] shall. </n> should I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall compass me.<pb/>


text:
When he shall see wise men dying, the fool and the senseless one shall perish together; and they shall leave their wealth to strangers.<pb/>


text:
And their sepulchres are their houses for ever, <i>even</i> their tabernacles to all generations: they have called their lands after their own names.<pb/>


text:
And man being in honor, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them.<pb/>


text:
They have laid <i>them</i> as sheep in Hades; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their help shall fail in Hades from their glory.


text:
<t>(50) A Psalm <n>[[Or, ]] of. </n> for Asaph. </t><pb/>The God of gods, the Lord, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down <i>thereof</i>.<pb/>


text:
God, our God, shall come manifestly, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall be kindled before him, and round about him there shall be a very great tempest.<pb/>


text:
Assemble you° his saints to him, those that have engaged in a covenant with him upon sacrifices.<pb/>


text:
Hear, my people, and I will speak to you, O Israel: and I will testify to you: I am God, your God.<pb/>


text:
I will not reprove you on account of your sacrifices; for your whole burnt offerings are before me continually.<pb/>


text:
And call upon me in the day of affliction; and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Pause.<pb/>


text:
But to the sinner God has said, Why do you declare my ordinances, and take up my covenant in your mouth?<pb/>


text:
If you saw a thief, you <n>See 1 Pe 4. 4. </n> ran along with him, and have cast in your lot with adulterers.<pb/>


text:
Your mouth has multiplied wickedness, and your tongue has framed deceit. <n>From these words in [[Alex. ]] to Ps. 79. 11, thirty psalms are lacking. </n><pb/>


text:
<t>(51) For the end, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, when he had gone to Bersabee. </t><pb/>Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression.<pb/>


text:
Against you only have I sinned, and done evil before you: that you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.<pb/>


text:
For, behold, you love truth: you have manifested to me the secret and hidden things of your wisdom.<pb/>


text:
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: you shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.<pb/>


text:
Restore to me the joy of your salvation: establish me with your <n>[[Gr. ]] governing. </n> directing Spirit.<pb/>


text:
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: <i>and</i> my tongue shall joyfully declare your righteousness.<pb/>


text:
For if you desired sacrifice, I would have given <i>it</i>: you will not take pleasure in whole burnt offerings.<pb/>


text:
<t>(52) For the end, <i>a Psalm</i> of <n>[[Gr. ]] governing. </n> instruction by David, when Doec the Idumean came and told Saul, and said to him, David is gone to the house of Abimelech. </t><pb/>Why do you, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in <i>your</i> mischief? All the day<pb/>


text:
You have loved wickedness more than goodness; unrighteousness better than to speak righteousness. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Therefore may God destroy you for ever, may he pluck you up and utterly remove you from <i>your</i> dwelling, and your root from the land of the living. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Behold the man who made not God his help; but trusted in the abundance of his wealth, and strengthened himself in his vanity.<pb/>


text:
But I am as a fruitful olive in the house of God: I have trusted in the mercy of God for ever, even for evermore.<pb/>


text:
<t>(53) For the end, <i>a Psalm</i> of David upon Maeleth, of instruction. </t><pb/>The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted <i>themselves</i>, and become abominable in iniquities: there is none that does good.<pb/>


text:
God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any that understood, or sought after God.<pb/>


text:
They have all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, there is not even one.<pb/>


text:
Will none of the workers of iniquity know, who devour my people as they would eat bread? they have not called upon God. There were they greatly afraid, where there was no fear:<pb/>


text:
<t>(54) For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Behold, is not David hid with us? </t><pb/>Save me, O God, by your name, and judge me by your might.<pb/>


text:
For strangers have risen up against me, and mighty men have sought my life: they have not set God before them. Pause.<pb/>


text:
<t>(55) For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. </t><pb/>Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.<pb/>


text:
because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.<pb/>


text:
And I said, O that I had wings as <i>those</i> of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.<pb/>


text:
<t>(56) For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the <n>[[Or, ]] holy things. </n> sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. </t><pb/>Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.<pb/>


text:
Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.<pb/>


text:
In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.<pb/>


text:
All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices <i>are</i> against me for evil.<pb/>


text:
They will dwell near and hide <i>themselves</i>; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.<pb/>


text:
O God, I have declared my life to you; you have set my tears before you, even according to your promise.<pb/>


text:
Mine enemies shall be turned back, in the day wherein I shall call upon you; behold, I know that you are my God.<pb/>


text:
<t>(57) For the end. Destroy not: by David, for a memorial, when he fled from the presence of Saul to the cave. </t><pb/>Have mercy, upon me, O God, have mercy upon me: for my soul has trusted in you: and in the shadow of your wings will I hope, until the iniquity has passed away.<pb/>


text:
He sent from heaven and saved me; he gave to reproach them that trampled on me: God has sent forth his mercy and his truth;<pb/>


text:
and he has delivered my soul from the midst of <i>lions'</i>whelps: I lay down to sleep, <i>though</i> troubled. <i>As for</i> the sons of men, their teeth are arms and <i>missile</i> weapons, and their tongue a sharp sword.<pb/>


text:
They have prepared snares for my feet, and have bowed down my soul: they have dug a pit before my face, and fallen into it <i>themselves</i>. Pause.<pb/>


text:
<t>(58) For the end. Destroy not: by David, for a memorial. </t><pb/>If you° do indeed speak righteousness, <i>then</i> do you° judge rightly, you° sons of men.<pb/>


text:
Their venom is like <i>that</i> of a serpent; as <i>that</i> of a deaf asp, and that stops her ears;<pb/>


text:
which will not hear the voice of charmers, nor <i>heed</i> the <n>[[Gr. ]] poison. </n> charm prepared skillfully by the wise.<pb/>


text:
They shall utterly pass away like water running through: he shall bend his bow till they shall fail.<pb/>


text:
The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance of the ungodly: he shall wash his hands in the blood of the sinner.<pb/>


text:
And a man shall say, Verily then there is <n>[[Gr. ]] fruit. </n> a reward for the righteous: verily there is a God that judges them in the earth.


text:
<t>(59) For the end. Destroy not: by David for a memorial, when Saul sent, and watched his house to kill him. </t><pb/>Deliver me from my enemies, O God; and ransom me from those that rise up against me.<pb/>


text:
For, behold, they have hunted after my soul; violent men have set upon me: neither <i>is it</i> my iniquity, nor my sin, O Lord.<pb/>


text:
And you, Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, draw near to visit all the heathen; pity not any that work iniquity. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Behold, they shall utter a voice with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips; for who, <i>say they</i>, has heard?<pb/>


text:
<i>As for</i> my God, his mercy shall go before me: my God will show me <i>vengeance</i> on my enemies.<pb/>


text:
Slay them not, lest they forget your <n>some read λαοῦ 'people'. </n> law; scatter them by your power; and bring them down, O Lord, my defender.


text:
<t>(60) For the end, for them that shall yet be changed; for an inscription by David for instruction, when he <i>had</i> burned Mesopotamia of Syria, and Syria Sobal, and Joab <i>had</i> returned and struck <i>in</i> the valley of salt twelve thousand. </t><pb/>O God, you have rejected and destroyed us; you have been angry, yet have pitied us.<pb/>


text:
God has spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, and divide Sicima, and measure out the valley of tents.<pb/>


text:
Galaad is mine, and Manasse is mine; and Ephraim is the <n>[[Or, ]] strengthening. </n> strength of my head;<pb/>


text:
Judas is my king; Moab is the caldron of my hope; over Idumea will I stretch out my shoe; the Philistines have been subjected to me.<pb/>


text:
<t>(61) For the end, among the Hymns of David. </t><pb/>O God, listen to my petition; attend to my prayer.<pb/>


text:
From the ends of the earth have I cried to you, when my heart was in trouble: you lifted me up on a rock you did guide me:<pb/>


text:
I will dwell in your tabernacle for ever; I will shelter myself under the shadow of your wings. Pause.<pb/>


text:
For you, o God, have heard my prayers; you have given an inheritance to them that fear your name.<pb/>


text:
You shall add days to the days of the king; <i>you shall lengthen</i> his years to all generations.<pb/>


text:
<t>(62) For the end, a Psalm of David for Idithun. </t><pb/>Shall not my soul be subjected to God? for of him is my salvation.<pb/>


text:
For he is my God, and my savior; my helper, I shall not be moved <n>[[Or, ]] any more. </n> very much.<pb/>


text:
How long will you° assault a man? you° are all slaughtering as with a bowed wall and a broken hedge.<pb/>


text:
They only took counsel to set at nothing my honor: I ran in thirst: with their mouth they blessed, but with their heart they cursed. Pause.<pb/>


text:
<n>[[Gr. ]] on. </n> In God <i>is</i> my salvation and my glory: <i>he is</i> the God of my help, and my hope is in God.<pb/>


text:
Hope in him, all you° congregation of the people; pour out your hearts before him, for God is our helper. Pause.


text:
<t>(63) A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Idumea. </t><pb/>O God, my God, I cry to you early; my soul has thirsted for you: how often has my flesh <i>longed</i> after you, in a barren and trackless and dry land!<pb/>


text:
Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; and <i>my</i> joyful lips shall praise your name.<pb/>


text:
<n>[[Gr. ]] if. See Acts 26. 23.</n> Forasmuch as I have remembered you on my bed: in the early seasons I have meditated on you.<pb/>


text:
My soul has <n>[[Gr. ]] been glued. </n> kept very close behind you: your right hand has upheld me.<pb/>


text:
<t>(64) For the end, a Psalm of David. </t><pb/>Hear my prayer, O God, when I make my petition to you; deliver my soul from fear of the enemy.<pb/>


text:
You have sheltered me from the conspiracy of them that do wickedly; from the multitude of them that work iniquity;<pb/>


text:
They have set up for themselves an evil matter, they have given counsel to hide snares; they have said, Who shall see them?<pb/>


text:
They have searched out iniquity; they have wearied themselves with searching diligently, a man shall approach and the heart is deep,<pb/>


text:
and God shall be exalted, their wounds were <i>caused by</i> the weapon of the foolish children,<pb/>


text:
<t>(65) For the end, a Psalm <i>and</i> Song of David. </t><pb/>Praise becomes you, O God, in Sion; and to you shall the vow be performed.<pb/>


text:
Blessed <i>is he</i> whom you have chosen and adopted; he shall dwell in your courts; we shall be filled with the good things of your house; your temple is holy.<pb/>


text:
<i>You are</i> wonderful in righteousness. Listen to us, O God our Saviour; the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them <i>that are</i> on the sea afar off:<pb/>


text:
who do <n>[[Gr. ]] prepare. </n> establish the mountains in your strength, being girded about with power;<pb/>


text:
The nations shall be troubled, and they that inhabit the ends <i>of the earth</i> shall be afraid of your signs; you will cause the outgoings of morning and evening to rejoice.<pb/>


text:
You have visited the earth, and saturated it; you have abundantly enriched it. The river of God is filled with water; you have prepared their food, for thus is the preparation <i>of it</i>.<pb/>


text:
Say to God, How awful are your works! through the greatness of your power your enemies shall lie to you.<pb/>


text:
Come and behold the works of God; <i>he is</i> terrible in <i>his</i> counsels beyond the children of men.<pb/>


text:
Who turns the sea into dry land; they shall go through the river on foot; there shall we rejoice in him,<pb/>


text:
who by his power <n>[[Or, ]] has dominion for ever. </n> is Lord over the age, his eyes look upon the nations; let not them that provoke <i>him</i> be exalted in themselves. Pause.<pb/>


text:
You did mount men upon our heads; we went through the fire and water; but you brought us out into <i>a place of</i> refreshment.<pb/>


text:
<t>(67) For the end, a Psalm of David among the Hymns. </t><pb/>God be merciful to us, and bless us; <i>and</i> cause his face to shine upon us. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Let the nations rejoice and exult, for you shall judge the peoples in equity, and shall guide the nations on the earth. Pause.<pb/>


text:
<t>(68) For the end, a Psalm of a Song by David. </t><pb/>Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let them that hate him flee from before him.<pb/>


text:
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish: as wax melts before the fire, so let the sinners perish from before God.<pb/>


text:
Sing to God, sing praises to his name: make a way for him that rides upon the west (the Lord is his name) and exult before him. They shall be troubled before the face of him,<pb/>


text:
<i>who is</i> the father of the orphans, and judge of the widows: <i>such is</i> God in his holy place.<pb/>


text:
God settles the solitary in a house; leading forth prisoners mightily, also them that act provokingly, <i>even</i> them that dwell in tombs.<pb/>


text:
<t>(69) For the end, <i>a Psalm</i> of David, for <n>See Ps 44. title. </n> alternate <i>strains</i>. </t><pb/>Save me, O God; for the waters have come in to my soul.<pb/>


text:
I am stuck fast in deep mire, and there is no standing: I am come in to the depths of the sea, and a storm has overwhelmed me.<pb/>


text:
I am weary <i>of</i> crying, my throat has become hoarse; my eyes have failed by my waiting on my God.<pb/>


text:
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: my enemies that persecute me unrighteously are strengthened: then I <n>[[Or, ]] paid for, [[or, ]] made up for. </n> restored that which I took not away.<pb/>


text:
Let not them that wait on you, O Lord of hosts, be ashamed on my account: let not them that seek you, be ashamed on my account, O God of Israel.<pb/>


text:
For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen upon me.<pb/>


text:
But I <i>will cry</i> to you, O Lord, in my prayer; O God, it is a propitious time: in the multitude of your mercy hear me, in the truth of your salvation.<pb/>


text:
Save me from the mire, that I stick not <i>in it</i>: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and from the deep waters.<pb/>


text:
Let not the waterflood drown me, nor let the deep swallow me up; neither let the well shut its mouth upon me.<pb/>


text:
Hear me, O Lord; for your mercy is good: according to the multitude of your compassions look upon me.<pb/>


text:
And turn not away your face from your <n>[[Or, ]] son. </n> servant; for I am afflicted: hear me speedily.<pb/>


text:
My soul has waited for reproach and misery; and I waited for one to grieve with me, but there was none; and for one to comfort me, but I found none.<pb/>


text:
Because they persecuted him whom you have struck; and they have added to the grief of my wounds.<pb/>


text:
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and let them not be written with the righteous.<pb/>


text:
For God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea shall be built; and <i>men</i> shall dwell there, and inherit it.


text:
<t>(70) For the end, by David for a remembrance, that the Lord may save me. </t><pb/>Draw near, O God, to my help.<pb/>


text:
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek my soul: let them be turned backward and put to shame, that wish me evil.<pb/>


text:
Let all that seek you exult and be glad in you: and let those that love your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.<pb/>


text:
<t>(71) By David, <i>a Psalm sung by</i> the sons of Jonadab, and the first that were taken captive. </t><pb/>O Lord, I have hoped in you: let me never be put to shame.<pb/>


text:
Be to me a protecting God, and a strong hold to save me: for you are my fortress and my refuge.<pb/>


text:
Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, from the hand of the transgressor and unjust man.<pb/>


text:
<t>(72) For Solomon. </t><pb/>O God, give your judgment to the king, and your righteousness to the king's son;<pb/>


text:
he shall judge the poor of the people in righteousness, and save the children of the needy; and shall bring low the false accuser.<pb/>


text:
The kings of Tharsis, and the isles, shall bring presents: the kings of the Arabians and Saba shall offer gifts.<pb/>


text:
He shall redeem their souls from usury and injustice: and their name <i>shall be</i> precious before him.<pb/>


text:
And he shall live, and there shall be given him of the gold of Arabia: and <i>men</i> shall pray for him continually; <i>and</i> all the day shall they praise him.<pb/>


text:
There shall be an establishment on the earth on the tops of the mountains: the fruit thereof shall be exalted above Libanus, and they of the city shall flourish as grass of the earth.<pb/>


text:
Let his name be blessed for ever: his name shall endure <n>[[Gr. ]] before. </n> longer than the sun: and all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.<pb/>


text:
And blessed is his glorious name for ever, even for ever and ever: and all the earth shall be filled with his glory. So be it, so be it.<pb/>


text:
For there is no sign of reluctance in their death: and <i>they have</i> firmness under their affliction.<pb/>


text:
They are not in the troubles of <i>other</i> men; and they shall not be scourged with <i>other</i> men.<pb/>


text:
Therefore pride has possessed them; they have clothed themselves with their injustice and ungodliness.<pb/>


text:
Therefore shall my people return hither: and full days shall be found <n>[[Gr. ]] in. </n> with them.<pb/>


text:
And they said, How does God know? and <n>[[Gr. ]] if there is. </n> is there knowledge in the Most High?<pb/>


text:
Behold, these <i>are</i> the sinners, and they that prosper always: they have possessed wealth.<pb/>


text:
If I said, I will speak thus; behold, I <i>should</i> have broken covenant with the generation of your children.<pb/>


text:
Surely you have appointed <i>judgments</i> to them because of their crafty dealings: you have cast them down when they were lifted up.<pb/>


text:
How have they become desolate! suddenly they have failed: they have perished because of their iniquity.<pb/>


text:
<t>(74) <i>A Psalm</i> of <n>[[Gr. ]] understanding. </n> instruction for Asaph. </t><pb/>Therefore have you rejected <i>us</i>, O God, for ever? <i>therefore</i> is your wrath kindled against the sheep of your pasture?<pb/>


text:
Remember your congregation which you have purchased from the beginning; you did ransom the rod of your inheritance; this mount Sion wherein you have lived.<pb/>


text:
Lift up your hands against their pride continually; <i>because of</i> all that the enemy has done wickedly in your holy places.<pb/>


text:
And they that hate you have boasted in the midst of your feast; they have set up their standards for signs,<pb/>


text:
they cut down its doors at once with axes as in a wood of trees; they have broken it down with hatchet and stone cutter.<pb/>


text:
They have burnt your sanctuary with fire to the ground; they have profaned the <n>[[Gr. ]] tabernacle. </n> habitation of your name.<pb/>


text:
They have said in their heart, <i>even</i> all their kindred together, Come, let us abolish the feasts of the Lord from the earth.<pb/>


text:
We have not seen our signs; there is no longer a prophet; and <i>God</i> will not know us any more.<pb/>


text:
But God is our King <n>[[Gr. ]] before the age. </n> of old; he has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.<pb/>


text:
You did establish the sea, in your might, you did break to pieces the heads of the <n>[[Or, ]] serpents. </n> dragons in the water.<pb/>


text:
You did break to pieces the heads of the dragon; you did give him <i>for</i> meat to the Ethiopian nations.<pb/>


text:
You did cleave fountains and torrents; you dried up <n><i>Heb. rivers of Etham. </i></n> mighty rivers.<pb/>


text:
Remember this your creation: an enemy has reproached the Lord, and a foolish people has provoked your name.<pb/>


text:
Deliver not to the wild beasts a soul that gives praise to you: forget not for ever the souls of your poor.<pb/>


text:
Look upon your covenant: for the dark <i>places</i> of the earth are filled with the habitations of iniquity.<pb/>


text:
Arise, O God, plead your cause: remember your reproaches that come from the foolish one all the day.<pb/>


text:
<t>(75) For the end, Destroy not, a Psalm of a Song for Asaph. </t><pb/>We will give thanks to you, O God, we will give thanks, and call upon your name: I will declare all your wonderful works.<pb/>


text:
For <i>there is</i> a cup in the hand of the Lord, full of unmingled wine; and he has <n>[[Gr. ]] from this into that. </n> turned <i>it</i> from side to side, but its dregs have not been wholly poured out; all the sinners of the earth shall drink <i>them</i>.<pb/>


text:
<t>(76) For the end, among the Hymns, a Psalm for Asaph; a Song for the Assyrian. </t><pb/>God is known in Judea: his name is great in Israel.<pb/>


text:
And his place has been in <n>[[Or, ]] Salem, see the Hebrew. </n> peace, and his dwelling-place in Sion.<pb/>


text:
All the simple ones in heart were troubled; all the men of wealth have slept their sleep, and have found nothing in their hands.<pb/>


text:
For the inward thought of man shall give thanks to you: and the memorial of his inward thought shall keep a feast to you.


text:
<t>(77) For the end, for Idithun, a Psalm of Asaph. </t><pb/>I cried to the Lord with my voice, yes, my voice <i>was addressed</i> to God; and he gave heed to me.<pb/>


text:
In the day of my affliction I earnestly sought the Lord; <i>even</i> with my hands by night before him, and I was not deceived; my soul refused to be comforted.<pb/>


text:
And I meditated; I communed with my heart by night, and diligently searched my spirit, <i>saying</i>,<pb/>


text:
<t>(78) <i>A Psalm</i> of <n>[[Gr. ]] understanding.</n> instruction for Asaph. </t><pb/>Give heed, O my people, to my law: incline your ear to the words of my mouth.<pb/>


text:
I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter dark sayings <i>which have been</i> from the beginning.<pb/>


text:
They were not hidden from their children to a second generation; <i>the fathers</i> declaring the praises of the Lord, and his mighty acts, and his wonders which he wrought.<pb/>


text:
And he raised up a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, to make it known to their children:<pb/>


text:
that another generation might know, even the sons which should be born; and they should arise and declare them to their children.<pb/>


text:
That they might set their hope on God, and not forget the works of God, but diligently seek his commandments.<pb/>


text:
That they should not be as their fathers, a perverse and provoking generation; a generation which set not its heart aright, and its spirit was not <n>[[Or, ]] faithfully secured.</n> steadfast with God.<pb/>


text:
The children of Ephraim, bending and shooting <i>with</i> the bow, turned <i>back</i> in the day of battle.<pb/>


text:
the miracles which he wrought before their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the plain of Tanes.<pb/>


text:
Forasmuch as he struck the rock, and the waters flowed, and the torrents ran abundantly; will he be able also to give bread, or prepare a table for his people?


text:
<t>(79) A Psalm for Asaph. </t><pb/>O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; they have polluted your holy temple; they have made Jerusalem a storehouse of fruits.<pb/>


text:
They have given the dead bodies of your servants <i>to be</i> food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your holy ones for the wild beasts of the earth.<pb/>


text:
They have shed their blood as water, round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury <i>them</i>.<pb/>


text:
We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them <i>that are</i> round about us.<pb/>


text:
Pour out your wrath upon the heathen that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms which have not called upon your name.<pb/>


text:
Remember not our old transgressions; let your tender mercies speedily prevent us; for we are greatly impoverished.<pb/>


text:
Help us, O God our Saviour; for the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us; and be merciful to our sins, for your name's sake.<pb/>


text:
Lest haply they should say among the heathen, Where is their God? and let the avenging of your servant's blood that has been shed be known among the heathen before our eyes.<pb/>


text:
Let the groaning of the prisoners come in before you; according to the greatness of your arm preserve the <n>[[i.e. ]] men appointed to die. </n> sons of the slain ones.<pb/>


text:
Repay to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached you, O Lord.<pb/>


text:
<t>(80) For the <n>See Ps 44, and 68, titles. </n> end, for alternate <i>strains</i>, a testimony for Asaph, a Psalm concerning the Assyrian. </t><pb/>Attend, O Shepherd of Israel, who guide Joseph like a flock; you who sit upon the cherubs, manifest yourself;<pb/>


text:
You made a way before it, and did cause its roots to strike, and the land was filled <i>with it</i>.<pb/>


text:
Its shadow covered the mountains, and its shoots <i>equalled</i> the <n>[[Gr. ]] Cedars of God, see Gen. 30. 8. Jonah 3. 3. Acts 7. 20. </n> goodly cedars.<pb/>


text:
<t>(81) For the end, a Psalm for <n>[[Alex. ]] David. </n> Asaph, concerning the wine presses. </t><pb/>Rejoice you° in God our helper; shout aloud to the God of Jacob.<pb/>


text:
He made <n>[[Gr. ]] him, [[sc. ]] Israel. </n> it <i>to be</i> a testimony in Joseph, when he came forth out of the land of Egypt: he heard a language which he understood not.<pb/>


text:
You did call upon me in trouble, and I delivered you; I heard you in the secret place of the storm: I proved you at the water of <n>[[Lit. ]] contradiction. </n> Strife. Pause.<pb/>


text:
Hear, my people, and I will speak to you, O Israel; and I will testify to you: if you will listen to me;<pb/>


text:
For I am the Lord your God, that brought you out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.<pb/>


text:
I should have put down their enemies very quickly, and should have laid my hand upon those that afflicted them.<pb/>


text:
The Lord's enemies <i>should have</i> lied to him: but <n>[[sc. ]] of the others. </n> their time shall be for ever.<pb/>


text:
<t>(82) A Psalm for Asaph. </t><pb/>God stands in the assembly of gods; and in the midst <i>of them</i> will judge gods.<pb/>


text:
They know not, nor understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be shaken.<pb/>


text:
<t>(83) A Song of a Psalm for Asaph. </t><pb/>O God, who shall be compared to you? be not silent, neither be still, O God.<pb/>


text:
Against your people they have craftily imagined a device, and have taken counsel against your saints.<pb/>


text:
They have said, Come, and let us utterly destroy them out of the nation; and let the name of Israel be remembered no more at all.<pb/>


text:
For they have taken counsel together with one consent: they have made a confederacy against you;<pb/>


text:
<t>(84) For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core, concerning the wine presses. </t><pb/>How amiable are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!<pb/>


text:
My soul longs, and faints for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh have exulted in the living god.<pb/>


text:
Yes, the sparrow has found himself a home, and the turtle-dove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, <i>even</i> your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.<pb/>


text:
the valley of weeping, to the place which he has appointed, for <i>there</i> the law-giver will grant blessings.<pb/>


text:
For one day in your courts is better than thousands. I would rather be an abject in the house of God, than dwell in the tents of sinners.<pb/>


text:
For the Lord loves mercy and truth: God will give grace and glory: the Lord will not withhold good things from them that walk in innocence.<pb/>


text:
<t>(85) For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. </t><pb/>O Lord, you have taken pleasure in your land: you have turned back the captivity of Jacob.<pb/>


text:
Wouldest you be angry with us for ever? or will you continue your wrath from generation to generation?<pb/>


text:
I will hear what the Lord God will say concerning me: for he shall speak peace to his people, and to his saints, and to those that turn their heart toward him.<pb/>


text:
<t>(86) A Prayer of David. </t><pb/>O Lord, incline your ear, and listen to me; for I am poor and needy.<pb/>


text:
There is none like to you, O Lord, among the gods; and there are no <i>works</i> like to your works.<pb/>


text:
All nations whom you have made shall come, and shall worship before you, O Lord; and shall glorify your name.<pb/>


text:
Guide me, O Lord, in your way, and I will walk in your truth: let my heart rejoice, that I may fear your name.<pb/>


text:
I will give you thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify your name for ever.<pb/>


text:
<t>(87) A Psalm of a Song for the sons of Core. </t><pb/>His foundations are in the holy mountains.<pb/>


text:
I will make mention of Raab and Babylon to them that know me: behold also the Philistines, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: these were born there.<pb/>


text:
A man shall say, Sion <i>is my</i> mother; and <i>such</i> a man was born in her; and the Highest himself has founded her.<pb/>


text:
The Lord shall recount <i>it</i> in the writing of the people, and of these princes that <n>[[Gr. ]] have been in her. </n> were born in her.<pb/>


text:
<t>(88) A song of a Psalm for the sons of Core for the end, upon Maeleth for responsive <i>strains</i>, of <n>[[Gr. ]] understanding. </n> instruction for Aeman the Israelite. </t><pb/>O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried by day and in the night before you.<pb/>


text:
free among the dead, as the slain ones <n>[[Alex. ]] om. ἐῤῥιμμένοι, cast out. </n> cast out, who sleep in the tomb; whom you remember no more; and they are rejected from your hand.<pb/>


text:
<t>(89) <i>A Psalm</i> of instruction for Aetham the Israelite. </t><pb/>I will sing of your mercies, O Lord, for ever: I will declare your truth with my mouth to all generations.<pb/>


text:
For you have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: your truth shall be established in the heavens.<pb/>


text:
I will <n>[[Gr. ]] prepare. </n> establish your seed for ever, and build up your throne to all generations. Pause.<pb/>


text:
For who in the <n>[[Gr. ]] clouds. </n> heavens shall be compared to the Lord? and who shall be likened to the Lord among the sons of God?<pb/>


text:
God is glorified in the council of the saints; great and terrible toward all that are round about him.<pb/>


text:
O Lord God of hosts, who is like to you? you are mighty, O Lord, and your truth is round about you.<pb/>


text:
You have brought down the proud as one that is slain; and with the arm of your power you have scattered your enemies.<pb/>


text:
The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours: you have founded the world, and the fullness of it.<pb/>


text:
You have created the north and the <n>[[Gr. ]] sea. </n> west: Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in your name.<pb/>


text:
Justice and judgment are the establishment of your throne: mercy and truth shall go before your face.<pb/>


text:
Blessed is the people that knows the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance.<pb/>


text:
And in your name shall they rejoice all the day: and in your righteousness shall they be exalted.<pb/>


text:
<t>(90) A Prayer of Moses the man of God. </t><pb/>Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations.<pb/>


text:
Before the mountains existed, and <i>before</i> the earth and the world were formed, even from age to age, You are.<pb/>


text:
For a thousand years in your sight are as the yesterday which is past, and as a watch in the night.<pb/>


text:
Years shall be <n>[[Gr. ]] their vanities or rejections. </n> vanity to them: let the morning pass away as grass.<pb/>


text:
In the morning let it flower, and pass away: in the evening let it droop, let it be withered and dried up.<pb/>


text:
For all our days are gone, and we have passed away in your wrath: our years have <n>[[Gr. ]] mediated. </n> spun out their tale as a spider.<pb/>


text:
<i>As for</i> the days of our years, in them are seventy years; and if <i>men should be</i> in strength, eighty years: and <n>[[Or, ]] what is more than these. </n> the greater part of them would be labor and trouble; for weakness overtakes us, and we shall be chastened.<pb/>


text:
and <i>who knows how</i> to number <i>his days</i> because of the fear of your wrath? So manifest your right hand, and those that are instructed in wisdom in the heart.<pb/>


text:
let us rejoice in all our days, in return for the days wherein you did afflict us, the years wherein we saw evil.<pb/>


text:
<t>(91) Praise of a Song, by David. </t><pb/>He that dwells in the help of the Highest, shall sojourn under the shelter of the God of heaven.<pb/>


text:
He shall overshadow you with his shoulders, and you shall trust under his wings: his truth shall cover you with a shield.<pb/>


text:
<i>nor</i> of the <i>evil</i> <n>See ver 3. </n> thing that walks in darkness; <i>nor</i> of calamity, and the evil spirit at noon-day.<pb/>


text:
A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.<pb/>


text:
For he has hoped in me, and I will deliver him: I will protect him, because he has known my name.<pb/>


text:
He shall call upon me, and I will listen to him: I am with him in affliction; and I will deliver him, and glorify him.<pb/>


text:
<t>(92) A Psalm of a Song for the Sabbath-day. </t><pb/>It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, O you Most High;<pb/>


text:
For you, O Lord, have made me glad with your work: and in the operations of your hands will I exult.<pb/>


text:
When the sinners spring up as the grass, and all the workers of iniquity <n>Perhaps, 'come to light'. </n> have watched; <i>it is</i> that they may be utterly destroyed for ever.<pb/>


text:
<n>[[Alex. ]] + for behold your enemies, O Lord, as in <i>Heb. </i></n> For, behold, your enemies shall perish; and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.<pb/>


text:
But my horn shall be exalted <i>as the horn</i> of a unicorn; and my old age with rich <n>[[Alex. ]] oil. See Ps. 88. 20. </n> mercy.<pb/>


text:
Then shall they be increased in a <n>[[Gr. ]] fat. </n> fine old age; and they shall be prosperous; that they may declare<pb/>


text:
<t>(93) For <n>[[Alex. ]] the sabbath-day. </n> the day before the Sabbath, when the land was <i>first</i> inhabited, the praise of a Song by David. </t><pb/>The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor: the Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength; for he has established the world, which shall not be moved.<pb/>


text:
The rivers have lifted up, O Lord, the rivers have lifted up their voices, <n>[[Alex. ]] + the floods will lift up their waves. See <i>Heb. </i></n><pb/>


text:
at <n>[[q. d. ]] in answer to. </n> the voices of many waters: the billows of the sea are wonderful: the Lord is wonderful in high places.<pb/>


text:
<t>(94) A Psalm of David for the fourth <i>day</i> of the week. </t><pb/>The Lord is a God of vengeance; the God of vengeance <n>[[Gr. ]] plural, [[bis.]]</n> has declared himself.<pb/>


text:
<t>(95) The praise of a Song by David. </t><pb/>Come, let us exult <n>[[Gr. ]] to. </n> in the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to God our Saviour.<pb/>


text:
For the Lord is a great God, and a great king over all gods: <n><i>Heb. and </i>[[Alex. ]] omit this clause. See Ps. 93. 14. </n> for the Lord will not cast off his people.<pb/>


text:
To-day, if you° will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, according to the day of <n>Note, πειρασμοῦ is the reading of several editions. </n> irritation in the wilderness:<pb/>


text:
Forty years was I grieved with this generation, and said, They do always err in their heart, and they have not known my ways.<pb/>


text:
<t>(96) When the house was built after the Captivity, a Song of David. </t><pb/>Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.<pb/>


text:
Say among the heathen, The Lord reigns: for he has established the world so that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people in righteousness.<pb/>


text:
<t>(97) For David, when his land is established. </t><pb/>The Lord reigns, let the earth exult, let many islands rejoice.<pb/>


text:
Cloud, and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the establishment of his throne.<pb/>


text:
The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.<pb/>


text:
Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols;  worship him, all you° his angels.<pb/>


text:
Sion heard and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judea exulted, because of your judgments, O Lord.<pb/>


text:
You° that love the Lord, hate evil; the Lord preserves the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of sinners.<pb/>


text:
<t>(98) A Psalm of David. </t><pb/>Sing to the Lord a new song; for the Lord has wrought wonderful works, his right hand, and his holy arm, have wrought salvation for him.<pb/>


text:
The Lord has made known his salvation, he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.<pb/>


text:
He has remembered his mercy to Jacob, and his truth to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.<pb/>


text:
With trumpets of metal, and the sound of a trumpet of horn make a joyful noise to the Lord before the king.<pb/>


text:
The rivers shall clap their hands together; the mountains shall exult. <n>[[Alex. ]] + before the Lord, for he comes. </n><pb/>


text:
<t>(99) A Psalm of David. </t><pb/>The Lord reigns; —let the people rage; <i>it is he</i> that sits upon the cherubs, let the earth be moved.<pb/>


text:
And the king's honor loves judgment; you have prepared <n>[[Gr. ]] equities. </n> equity, you have wrought judgment and justice in Jacob.<pb/>


text:
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he heard them.<pb/>


text:
He spoke to them in a pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies, and the ordinances which he gave them.<pb/>


text:
O Lord our God, you heard them; O God, you became propitious to them, though you did take vengeance on all their devices.<pb/>


text:
Know that the Lord he is God; he made us, and not we ourselves; <i>we are</i> his people, and the sheep of his pasture.<pb/>


text:
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with hymns; give thanks to him, praise his name.<pb/>


text:
<t></t>(101) A Psalm of David. <pb/>1 I will sing to you, O Lord, of mercy and judgment; I will sing a psalm,<pb/>


text:
and I will be wise in a blameless way. When will you come to me? I walked in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house.<pb/>


text:
A perverse heart has not cleaved to me; I have not known an evil man, forasmuch as he turns away from me.<pb/>


text:
Him that privily speaks against his neighbor, him have I driven from <i>me</i>: he that is proud in look and insatiable in heart, —with him I have not eaten.


text:
<t>(102) A Prayer for the Poor; when he is deeply afflicted, and pours out his supplication before the Lord. </t><pb/>Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to you.<pb/>


text:
Turn not away your face from me: in the day <i>when</i> I am afflicted, incline your ear to me: in the day <i>when</i> I shall call upon you, speedily hear me.<pb/>


text:
I have become like an owl in a ruined house. I have watched, and am become as a sparrow dwelling alone on a roof.<pb/>


text:
<t>(103) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all <i>that is</i> within me, <i>bless</i> his holy name.<pb/>


text:
who satisfies your desire with good things: <i>so that</i> your youth shall be renewed like <i>that</i> of the eagle.<pb/>


text:
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor recompensed us according to our iniquities.<pb/>


text:
For as the heaven is high above the earth, the Lord has <i>so</i> increased his mercy toward them that fear him.<pb/>


text:
But the mercy of the Lord is from generation to generation upon them that fear him, and his righteousness to children's children;<pb/>


text:
Bless the Lord, all you° his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his bidding, <i>ready</i> to listen to the voice of his words.<pb/>


text:
<t>(104) <i>A Psalm</i> of David. </t><pb/>Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you have clothed yourself with praise and honor:<pb/>


text:
Who covers his chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariot; who walks on the wings of the wind.<pb/>


text:
The deep, as it were a garment, is his covering: the waters shall stand <n>[[Or, ]] above. </n> on the hills.<pb/>


text:
They go up to the mountains, and down to the plains, to the place which you have founded for them.<pb/>


text:
You have set a bound which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth.<pb/>


text:
They shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field: the wild asses shall take <i>of them</i> to <i>quench</i> their thirst.<pb/>


text:
By them shall the birds of the sky lodge: they shall utter a voice out of the midst of the rocks.<pb/>


text:
He waters the mountains from his chambers: the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of your works.<pb/>


text:
He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth;<pb/>


text:
and wine makes glad the heart of man, to make his face cheerful with oil: and bread strengthens man's heart.<pb/>


text:
The trees of the plain shall be full <i>of sap</i>; <i>even</i> the cedars of Libanus which he has planted.<pb/>


text:
There the sparrows will build their nests; and the house of the heron takes the lead among them.<pb/>


text:
You did make darkness, and it was night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will be abroad:<pb/>


text:
<t>(105) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his name; declare his works among the heathen.<pb/>


text:
He has remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded for a thousand generation:<pb/>


text:
They <n>[[Gr. ]] humbled. </n> hurt his feet with fetters; <n>[[Or, ]] his body, see <i>Heb. </i></n> his soul passed into iron,<pb/>


text:
He sent forth darkness, and made it dark; yet they <n>[[Gr. ]] embittered. </n> rebelled against his words.<pb/>


text:
<t>(106) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy <i>endures</i> for ever.<pb/>


text:
Who shall tell the mighty acts of the Lord? <i>who</i> shall cause all his praises to be heard?<pb/>


text:
Remember us, O Lord, with the favor <i>you have</i> to your people: visit us with your salvation;<pb/>


text:
that we may behold the good of your elect, that we may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that we may glory with your inheritance.<pb/>


text:
Our fathers in Egypt understood not your wonders, and remembered not the multitude of your mercy; but provoked <i>him</i> as they went up by the Red Sea.<pb/>


text:
And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up: so he led them through the deep as through the wilderness.<pb/>


text:
And he saved them out of the hand of them that hated <i>them</i>, and redeemed them out of the hand of the enemy.<pb/>


text:
So he said that he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn <i>him</i> away from the fierceness of his anger, so that he should not destroy them.<pb/>


text:
They were joined also to Beelphegor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. And they provoked him with their devices;<pb/>


text:
for they provoked his spirit, and he <n>[[Or, ]] gave commandment. </n> spoke <i>unadvisedly</i> with his lips.<pb/>


text:
and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Chanaan; and the land was <n>[[Or, ]] murderously defiled. </n> defiled with blood.<pb/>


text:
And he delivered them into the hands of <i>their</i> enemies; and they that hated them ruled over them.<pb/>


text:
Many a time he delivered them; but they provoked him by their counsel, and they were brought low by their iniquities.<pb/>


text:
<t>(107) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy <i>endures</i> for ever.<pb/>


text:
Let them say <i>so</i> who have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy;<pb/>


text:
and gathered them out of the countries, from the east, and west, and north, and <n>[[Gr. ]] sea. </n> south.<pb/>


text:
Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he delivered them out of their distresses.<pb/>


text:
because they <n>[[Gr. ]] embittered the oracles. </n> rebelled against the words of God, and provoked the counsel of the Most High.<pb/>


text:
<n>see the Hebrew. </n> He helped them out of the way of their iniquity; for they were brought low because of their iniquities.<pb/>


text:
Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.<pb/>


text:
He turns rivers into a desert, and streams of <n>[[Gr. ]] waters. </n> water into <n>[[Gr. ]] thirst. </n> a dry land;<pb/>


text:
And there he causes the hungry to dwell, and they establish for themselves cities of habitation.<pb/>


text:
And he blesses them, and they multiply exceedingly, and he diminishes not the number of their cattle.<pb/>


text:
Contempt is poured upon their princes, and he causes them to wander in a desert and trackless land.<pb/>


text:
<t>(108) Song of a Psalm by David. </t><pb/>O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready; I will sing and sing psalms with my glory.<pb/>


text:
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the people; I will sing praise to you among the Gentiles.<pb/>


text:
That your beloved <i>ones</i> may be delivered, save with your right hand, and hear me. God has spoken in his sanctuary;<pb/>


text:
Moab is the caldron of my hope; over Idumea will I cast my sandal; the Philistines are made subject to me.<pb/>


text:
for the mouth of the sinner and the mouth of the crafty <i>man</i> have been opened against me: they have spoken against me with a crafty tongue.<pb/>


text:
<n>[[Or, ]] in return for my love. </n> Instead of loving me, they falsely accused me: but I continued to pray.<pb/>


text:
Set you a sinner against him; and let <n>[[Or, ]] the accuser. </n> the devil stand at his right hand.<pb/>


text:
Let his children wander without a dwelling-place, and beg: let them be cast out of their habitations.<pb/>


text:
Let him have no helper; neither let there be any one to have compassion on his fatherless children.<pb/>


text:
Let his children be <i>given up</i> to utter destruction: in one generation let his name be blotted out.


text:
<t>(110) A Psalm of David. </t><pb/>The Lord said to my Lord, Sit you on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.<pb/>


text:
The Lord shall send out a rod of power for you out of Sion: rule you in the midst of your enemies.<pb/>


text:
With you is dominion in the day of your power, in the splendors of <n>[[Or, ]] holiness, [[i.e. ]] holy things. </n> your saints: I have begotten you from the womb before the morning.<pb/>


text:
The Lord sware, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.<pb/>


text:
He shall judge among the nations, he shall fill up <i>the number of</i> corpses, he shall crush the heads of many on the earth.<pb/>


text:
<t>(111) Alleluia. </t><pb/>I will give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and <i>in</i> the congregation.<pb/>


text:
The works of the Lord are great, sought out <n>Comp. [[Gr. ]] with <i>Heb. </i></n> according to all his will.<pb/>


text:
His work is <i>worthy of</i> thanksgiving and honor: and his righteousness endures for ever and ever.<pb/>


text:
He has declared to his people the power of his works, to give them the inheritance of the heathen.<pb/>


text:
<t>(112) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Blessed is the man that fears the Lord: he will delight greatly in his commandments.<pb/>


text:
His heart is established, he shall not fear, till he shall see <i>his desire</i> upon his enemies.<pb/>


text:
He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for evermore: his horn shall be exalted with honor.<pb/>


text:
The sinner shall see and be angry, he shall gnash his teeth, and consume away: the desire of the sinner shall perish.


text:
<t>(113) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Praise the Lord, you° servants <i>of his</i>, praise, the name of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
<t>(114) Alleluia. </t><pb/>At the going forth of Israel from Egypt, of the house of Jacob from a barbarous people,<pb/>


text:
Judea became his <n>[[Or, ]] consecrated thing. </n> sanctuary, <i>and</i> Israel his dominion.<pb/>


text:
<t>(115) </t><pb/>Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, because of your mercy and your truth;<pb/>


text:
They have a mouth, but they <n>[[Gr. ]] will not. </n> can’t speak; they have eyes, but they can’t see:<pb/>


text:
they have hands, but they can’t handle; they have feet, but they can’t walk: they can’t speak through their throat.<pb/>


text:
<t>(116) Alleluia. </t><pb/>I am well pleased, because the Lord will listen to the voice of my supplication.<pb/>


text:
The Lord preserves <n>[[Gr. ]] infants. </n> the simple: I was brought low, and he delivered me.<pb/>


text:
<n>In Brenton's text, Psalm 115 commences here, but verse numbers continue from v10 to v19. </n>  I believed, therefore I have spoken: but I was greatly afflicted.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, and the son of your handmaid: you have burst by bonds asunder.<pb/>


text:
<t>(118) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Give thanks to the Lord; for <i>he is</i> good: for his mercy <i>endures</i> for ever.<pb/>


text:
<t>(119) Alleluia. </t><pb/>Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Blessed are they that search out his testimonies: they will diligently seek him with the whole heart.<pb/>


text:
I will give you thanks with uprightness of heart, when I have learned the judgments of your righteousness.<pb/>


text:
Remove from me the way of iniquity; and be merciful to me <n>[[q.d. ]] in teaching me your law. </n> by your law.


text:
<t>(120) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>In my affliction I cried to the Lord, and he listened to me.<pb/>


text:
Woe is me, that my sojourning is <n><i>Heb. משך </i></n> prolonged; I have tabernacled among the tents of Kedar.<pb/>


text:
<t>(121) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, whence my help shall come.<pb/>


text:
<t>(122) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
<n>[[Or, ]] ask Jerusalem how it is with her. </n> Pray now for the peace of Jerusalem: and <i>let there be</i> prosperity to them that love you.<pb/>


text:
Behold, as the eyes of servants <i>are directed</i> to the hands of their masters, <i>and</i> as the eyes of a maidservant to the hands of her mistress; so our eyes <i>are directed</i> to the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us.<pb/>


text:
<t>(124) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>If it had not been that the Lord was among us, let Israel now say;<pb/>


text:
<t>(125) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>They that trust in the Lord <i>shall be</i> as mount Sion: he that dwells in Jerusalem shall never be moved.<pb/>


text:
The mountains are round about her, and <i>so</i> the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth and even for ever.<pb/>


text:
For the Lord will not allow the rod of sinners to be upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous should stretch forth their hands to iniquity.<pb/>


text:
<t>(126) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion, we became as comforted ones.<pb/>


text:
Then was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with exultation: then would they say among the Gentiles,<pb/>


text:
The Lord has done great things among them. The Lord has done great things for us, we became joyful.<pb/>


text:
<t>(127) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>Except the Lord build the house, they that build labor in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.<pb/>


text:
It is vain for you to rise early: you° rise up after resting, you° that eat the bread of grief; while he gives sleep to his beloved.<pb/>


text:
<t>(128) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>Blessed are all they that fear the Lord; who walk in his ways.<pb/>


text:
You shall eat the <n>[[Alex. ]] fruits of your labors.</n> labors of your hands: blessed are you, and it shall be well with you.<pb/>


text:
Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of your house: your children as young olive-plants round about your table.<pb/>


text:
May the Lord bless you out of Sion; and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.


text:
<t></t>(129) A Song of Degrees. <pb/>Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say:<pb/>


text:
The sinners wrought upon my back: they prolonged their <n>שיך iniquity, easily read for שוכה a furrow.</n> iniquity.<pb/>


text:
For with you is <n>[[Or, ]] propitiation. </n> forgiveness: for your <n>See Gen 31. 53. </n> name's sake<pb/>


text:
<t>(131) <n>[[Alex. ]] + 'for David.' </n> A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>O Lord, my heart is not exalted, neither have my eyes been <i>haughtily</i> raised: neither have I exercised myself in great <i>matters</i>, nor in things too wonderful for me.<pb/>


text:
<i>I shall have sinned</i> if I have not been humble, but have exulted my soul: according to <i>the relation of</i> a weaned child to his mother, so will you recompense my soul.<pb/>


text:
<n>[[Gr. ]] if I shall, etc. [[Hebraism.]]</n> I will not go into the tabernacle of my house; I will not go up to the couch of my bed;


text:
<t>(133) <n>[[Alex. ]] + 'for David.' </n> A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>See now! what is so good, or what so pleasant, as for brethren to dwell together?<pb/>


text:
<i>It is</i> as ointment on the head, that ran down to the beard, <i>even</i> the beard of Aaron; that ran down to the fringe of his clothing.<pb/>


text:
<t>(134) A Song of Degrees. </t><pb/>Behold now, bless you° the Lord, all the servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.<pb/>


