In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness {was} upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that {it was} good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night: and the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament; and divided the waters which {were} under the firmament from the waters which {were} above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and the morning were the second day.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered into one place, and let the dry {land} appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry {land} Earth, and the collection of waters he called Seas: and God saw that it {was} good.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, {and} the fruit-tree yielding fruit after its kind, whose seed {is} in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass, {and} herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed {was} in itself, after its kind: and God saw that it {was} good.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the day from the night: and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: {he made} the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth.
And to rule over the day, and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it {was} good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl {that} may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that {it was} good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and the creeping animal, and the beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every animal that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that {it was} good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his {own} image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living animal that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which {is} upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which {is} the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every animal that creepeth upon the earth, in which {is} life, {I have given} every green herb for food: and it was so.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, {it was} very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
These {are} the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and {there was} not a man to till the ground.
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
And the LORD God formed man {of} the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
And a river went out of Eden to water the garden: and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
The name of the first {is} Pison, which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where {there is} gold;
And the gold of that land {is} good: there {is} bdellium and the onyx-stone.
And the name of the second river {is} Gihon: the same that compasseth the whole land of Cush.
And the name of the third river {is} Hiddekel: which floweth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river {is} Euphrates.
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it.
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die.
And the LORD God said, {It is} not good that the man should be alone: I will make him a help meet for him.
And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air, and brought {them} to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that {was} its name.
And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowls of the air, and to every beast of the field: but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him.
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, he made woman, and brought her to the man.
And Adam said, This {is} now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made: and he said to the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which {is} in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said to the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know, that in the day ye eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened: and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree {was} good for food, and that it {was} pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make {one} wise; she took of its fruit, and ate, and gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they {were} naked: and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made for themselves aprons.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the LORD God called to Adam, and said to him, Where {art} thou?
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden: and I was afraid, because I {was} naked; and I hid myself.
And he said, Who told thee that thou {wast} naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, that thou shouldest not eat?
And the man said, The woman, whom thou gavest {to be} with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.
And the LORD God said to the woman, What {is} this {that} thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.
And the LORD God said to the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou {art} cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
To the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children: and thy desire {shall be} to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
And to Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed {is} the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat {of} it all the days of thy life;
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou shalt return to the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou {art}, and to dust shalt thou return.
And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
For Adam also and for his wife the LORD God made coats of skins, and clothed them.
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man hath become as one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.
So he drove out the man: and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect to Abel, and to his offering:
But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
And the LORD said to Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And to thee {shall be} his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
And the LORD said to Cain, Where {is} Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: {Am} I my brother's keeper?
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the ground.
And now {art} thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield to thee its strength: A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
And Cain said to the LORD, My punishment {is} greater than I can bear.
Behold, thou hast driven me this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it will come to pass, {that} every one that findeth me will slay me.
And the LORD said to him, Therefore whoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him seven-fold. And the lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived, and bore Enoch: and he built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son Enoch.
And to Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
And Lamech took to him two wives: the name of the one {was} Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and {of such as have} cattle.
And his brother's name {was} Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
And Zillah, she also bore Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain {was} Naamah.
And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold, truly Lamech seventy and seven-fold.
And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son, and called his name Seth: For God, {said she}, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
This {is} the book of the generations of Adam: In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him:
Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat {a son} in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.
And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan.
And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years; and he died.
And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:
And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died.
And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years; and he died.
And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years; and he died.
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God, and he {was} not: for God took him.
And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years; and he died.
And Lamech lived a hundred eighty and two years; and begat a son:
And he called his name Noah, saying, This {same} shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years; and he died.
And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they {were} fair; and they took them wives of all whom they chose.
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also {is} flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore {children} to them: the same {became} mighty men, who {were} of old, men of renown.
And God saw that the wickedness of man {was} great in the earth, and {that} every imagination of the thoughts of his heart {was} only evil continually.
And the LORD repented that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping animal, and the fowls of the air; for I repent that I have made them.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
These {are} the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man, {and} perfect in his generations, {and} Noah walked with God.
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
The earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence.
And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt: for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them: and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Make thee an ark of gopher-wood: rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
And this {is the fashion} in which thou shalt make it: the length of the ark {shall be} three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in its side: {with} lower, second, and third {stories} shalt thou make it.
And behold, I, even I do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, in which {is} the breath of life, from under heaven: {and} every thing that {is} on the earth shall die.
But with thee will I establish my covenant: and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every {sort} shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep {them} alive with thee: they shall be male and female.
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping animal of the earth after its kind, two of every {sort} shall come to thee, to keep {them} alive.
And take thou to thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather {it} to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
And the LORD said to Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark: for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that {are} not clean by two, the male and his female.
Of fowls of the air also by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive on the face of all the earth.
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights: and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from the face of the earth.
And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him.
And Noah {was} six hundred years old when the flood of waters was on the earth.
And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
Of clean beasts, and of beasts that {are} not clean, and of fowls, and of every animal that creepeth upon the earth;
There went in two and two to Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
In the same day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark.
They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
And they went in to Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, in which {is} the breath of life.
And they that entered, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.
And the flood was forty days upon the earth: and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it was lifted above the earth.
And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth: and the ark moved upon the face of the waters.
And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills that {were} under the whole heaven were covered.
Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail: and the mountains were covered.
And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:
All in whose nostrils {was} the breath of life, of all that {was} on the dry {land}, died.
And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping animals, and the fowl of heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth; and Noah only remained {alive}, and they that {were} with him in the ark.
And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.
And God remembered Noah, and every living animal, and all the cattle that {were} with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters were checked.
The fountains also of the deep, and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
And the waters decreased continually, till the tenth month: in the tenth {month}, on the first {day} of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, till the waters were dried from off the earth.
Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned to him into the ark; for the waters {were} on the face of the whole earth. Then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in to him into the ark.
And he stayed yet other seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
And the dove came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth {was} an olive-leaf plucked off: So Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
And he stayed yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove; which returned not again to him any more.
And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first {month}, the first {day} of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry.
And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.
And God spoke to Noah, saying,
Go forth from the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
Bring forth with thee every living animal that {is} with thee, of all flesh, of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:
Every beast, every creeping animal, and every fowl, {and} whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went out of the ark.
And Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar.
And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart {is} evil from his youth: neither will I again smite any more every living animal as I have done.
While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth {on} the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things:
But flesh with the life of it, {which is} its blood, shall ye not eat.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require: at the hand of every beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
Whoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply, bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
And God spoke to Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
And with every living creature that {is} with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you, from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
And God said, This {is} the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that {is} with you, for perpetual generations.
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
And I will remember my covenant, which {is} between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that {is} upon the earth.
And God said to Noah, This {is} the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that {is} upon the earth.
And the sons of Noah that went forth from the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham {was} the father of Canaan.
These three {were} the sons of Noah: and from them was the whole earth overspread.
And Noah began {to be} a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
And he drank of the wine, and was drunken, and he was uncovered within his tent.
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid {it} upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces {were} backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him.
And he said, Cursed {be} Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren.
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.
Now these {are} the generations of the sons of Noah; Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and to them were sons born after the flood.
The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha; and the sons of Raamah, Sheba, and Dedan.
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Out of that land went forth Ashur, and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same {is} a great city.
And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim.
And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,
And the Jebusite, and the Emorite, and the Girgasite,
And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites dispersed.
And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, to Gaza; as thou goest to Sodom and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even to Lashah.
These {are} the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, {and} in their nations.
To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were {children} born.
The children of Shem; Elam, and Ashur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
And to Eber were born two sons: the name of one {was} Peleg, for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name {was} Joktan.
And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah.
And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these {were} the sons of Joktan.
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest to Sephar, a mount of the east.
These {are} the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
These {are} the families of the sons of Noah after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
And it came to pass as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.
And they said one to another, come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
And they said, come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top {may reach} to heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we should be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men were building.
And the LORD said, Behold, the people {is} one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the LORD there confounded the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
These {are} the generations of Shem: Shem {was} a hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah.
And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:
And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:
And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug.
And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:
And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah.
And Nahor lived after he begat Terah a hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Now these {are} the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran: and Haran begat Lot.
And Haran died before his father Terah, in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife {was} Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
But Sarai {was} barren; she had no child.
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran, and dwelt there.
And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Now the LORD had said to Abram, Depart from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to a land that I will show thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him: and Abram {was} seventy and five years old when he departed from Haran.
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went to go forth into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
And Abram passed through the land to the place of Sichem, to the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite {was} then in the land.
And the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, To thy seed will I give this land: and there he erected an altar to the LORD, who appeared to him.
And he removed from thence to a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, {having} Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he erected an altar to the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
And Abram journeyed, going on still towards the south.
And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to dwell there; for the famine {was} grievous in the land.
And it came to pass, when he had come near to enter into Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou {art} a fair woman to look upon:
Therefore it will come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they will say, This {is} his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
Say, I pray thee, thou {art} my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
And it came to pass, that when Abram had come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she {was} very fair.
The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
And he treated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels.
And the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What {is} this {that} thou hast done to me? why didst thou not tell me that she {is} thy wife?
Why saidst thou, She {is} my sister? so I might have taken her to me for a wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take {her}, and go thy way.
And Pharaoh commanded {his} men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
And Abram returned from Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
And Abram {was} very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hai;
To the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
And Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land.
And Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we {are} brethren.
{Is} not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if {thou wilt take} the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if {thou wilt depart} to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it {was} well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, {even} as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest to Zoar.
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain, and pitched {his} tent towards Sodom.
But the men of Sodom {were} wicked, and sinners before the LORD, exceedingly.
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, {then} shall thy seed also be numbered.
Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it to thee.
Then Abram removed {his} tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which {is} in Hebron, and built there an altar to the LORD.
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
{That these} made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that {were} with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emins in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
And the Horites in their mount Seir, to El-paran, which {is} by the wilderness.
And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which {is} Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, (the same {is} Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
And the vale of Siddim {was full of} slime-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there: and they that remained fled to the mountain.
And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these {were} confederate with Abram.
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained {servants}, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued {them} to Dan.
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants by night, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which {is} on the left hand of Damascus.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that {were} with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which {is} the king's dale.
And Melchisedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he {was} the priest of the most high God.
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed {be} Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
And blessed be the most high God, who hath delivered thy enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted my hand to the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
That I will not {take} from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that {is} thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I {am} thy shield, {and} thy exceeding great reward.
And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house {is} this Eliezer of Damascus?
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and lo, one born in my house is my heir.
And behold, the word of the LORD {came} to him, saying, This shall not be thy heir; but he that shall come forth out of thy own bowels shall be thy heir.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now towards heaven, and tell the stars, if thou art able to number them: and he said to him, So shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
And he said to him, I {am} the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
And he said, Lord God, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it?
And he said to him, Take me a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.
And he took to him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds he did not divide.
And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.
And he said to Abram, Know certainly that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land {that is} not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
And also that nation which they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites {is} not yet full.
And it came to pass, that when the sun had gone down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
In that same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:
The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name {was} Hagar.
And Sarai said to Abram, Behold, now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee go in to my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
And Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
And Sarai said to Abram, my wrong {be} upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
But Abram said to Sarai, Behold, thy maid {is} in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
And the angel of the LORD said to her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Behold, thou {art} with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
And he will be a wild man; his hand {will be} against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
And she called the name of the LORD that spoke to her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
Wherefore the well was called Beer-la-hai-roi; behold, {it is} between Kadesh and Bered.
And Hagar bore Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bore, Ishmael.
And Abram {was} eighty six years old, when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
And when Abram was ninety and nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I {am} the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
As for me, behold, my covenant {is} with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
And I will make thee exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of thee; and kings shall proceed from thee.
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee.
And I will give to thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land in which thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
And God said to Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee, in their generations.
This {is} my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy seed after thee; Every male-child among you shall be circumcised.
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male-child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, who {is} not of thy seed.
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
And the uncircumcised male-child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah {shall} her name {be}.
And I will bless her, and give thee a son also by her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be {a mother} of nations; kings of people shall proceed from her.
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall {a child} be born to him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?
And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, {and} with his seed after him.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to thee at this set time in the next year.
And he ceased talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin, in the same day, as God had said to him.
And Abraham {was} ninety and nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
And Ishmael his son {was} thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
In the same day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
And the LORD appeared to him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw {them}, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
Let a little water, I pray you, be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
And I will bring a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that you shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead {it}, and make cakes upon the hearth.
And Abraham ran to the herd, and brought a calf tender and good, and gave {it} to a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set {it} before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.
And they said to him, Where {is} Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
And he said, I will certainly return to thee according to the time of life; and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard {it} in the tent door, which {was} behind him.
Now Abraham and Sarah {were} old {and} far advanced in age; {and} it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am become old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
And the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I certainly bear a child, who am old?
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they will keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come to me; and if not, I will know.
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went towards Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Peradventure there are fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that {are} in it?
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I, who {am} dust and ashes, have taken upon me to speak to the LORD.
Peradventure there will lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for {lack of} five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy {it}.
And he spoke to him yet again, and said, Peradventure there will be forty found there. And he said, I will not do {it} for forty's sake.
And he said, Oh, let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there will thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do {it}, if I find thirty there.
And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak to the LORD: Peradventure there will be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy {it} for twenty's sake.
And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy {it} for ten's sake.
And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned to his place.
And there came two angels to Sodom at evening; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom; and Lot seeing {them}, rose to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face towards the ground;
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
And he urged them greatly; and they turned in to him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
But before they lay down, the men of the city, {even} the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
And they called to Lot, and said to him, Where {are} the men who came in to thee this night? bring them out to us, that we may know them.
And Lot went out at the door to them, and shut the door after him,
And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
Behold now, I have two daughters who have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out to you, and do ye to them as {is} good in your eyes: only to these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
And they said, Stand back. And they said {again}, This one {man} came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. And they pressed hard upon the man, Lot, and came near to break the door.
But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut the door.
And they smote the men that {were} at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
And the men said to Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatever thou hast in the city, bring {them} out of this place:
For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them has become great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who married his daughters, and said, Arise, depart from this place; for the LORD will destroy this city: but he seemed to his sons-in-law as one that mocked.
And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters who are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters: the LORD being merciful to him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life: look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
And Lot said to them, Oh, not so, my Lord!
Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shown to me in saving my life: and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil should take me, and I die:
Behold now, this city is near to flee to, and it {is} a small one: Oh, let me escape thither! ({Is} it not a small one?) and my soul shall live.
And he said to him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for which thou hast spoken.
Haste thee, escape thither: for I cannot do any thing till thou hast come thither: therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
And Abraham rose early in the morning, to the place were he stood before the LORD:
And he looked towards Sodom and Gomorrah, and towards all the land of the plain, and beheld, and lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt.
And Lot went up from Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he, and his two daughters.
And the first-born said to the younger, Our father {is} old, and {there is} not a man on the earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth:
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
And they made their father drink wine that night: and the first-born went in and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
And it came to pass on the morrow that the first born said to the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father; let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, {and} lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
And the first-born bore a son, and called his name Moab: the same {is} the father of the Moabites to this day.
And the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi: the same {is} the father of the children of Ammon to this day.
And Abraham journeyed from thence towards the south country, and dwelt between Kadash and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, she is my sister: And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou {art but} a dead man, on account of the woman whom thou hast taken: for she {is} a man's wife.
But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou also slay a righteous nation?
Said he not to me, She {is} my sister? and she, even she herself said, He {is} my brother: in the integrity of my heart, and innocence of my hands have I done this.
And God said to him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore I suffered thee not to touch her.
Now therefore restore to the man {his} wife, for he {is} a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou shalt not restore {her}, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that {are} thine.
Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were greatly afraid.
Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, What has thou done to us? and in what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds to me that ought not to be done.
And Abimelech said to Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
And Abraham said, Because I thought, surely the fear of God {is} not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
And yet indeed {she is} my sister: she {is} the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, This {is} thy kindness which thou shalt show to me; At every place whither we shall come, say of me, He {is} my brother.
And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and women-servants, and gave {them} to Abraham, and restored to him Sarah his wife.
And Abimelech said, Behold, my land {is} before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand {pieces} of silver: behold, he {is} to thee a covering of the eyes, to all that {are} with thee, and with all {other}: thus she was reproved.
So Abraham prayed to God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-servants, and they bore {children}.
For the LORD had made barren all the females of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had spoken.
For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac, being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born to him.
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, {so that} all that hear will laugh with me.
And she said, Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah shall nurse children? for I have borne him a son in his old age.
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the day that Isaac was weaned.
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne to Abraham, mocking.
Wherefore, she said to Abraham, Cast out this bond-woman, and her son: for the son of this bond-woman shall not be heir with my son, {even} with Isaac.
And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son.
And God said to Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight, because of the lad, and because of thy bond-woman; in all that Sarah hath said to thee, hearken to her voice: for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
And also of the son of the bond-woman will I make a nation, because he {is} thy seed.
And Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave {it} to Hagar (putting {it} on her shoulder) and the child, and sent her away; and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
And she went, and sat her down over against {him}, a good way off, as it were a bow-shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against {him}, and raised her voice, and wept.
And God heard the voice of the lad: and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he {is}.
Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand: for I will make him a great nation.
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water: and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took for him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, spoke to Abraham, saying, God {is} with thee in all that thou doest:
Now therefore swear to me here by God, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: {but} according to the kindness that I have done to thee, thou shalt do to me, and to the land in which thou hast sojourned.
And Abraham said, I will swear.
And Abraham reproved Abimelech, because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
And Abimelech said, I know not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet have I heard {of it}, but to-day.
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them to Abimelech: and both of them made a covenant.
And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves.
And Abimelech said to Abraham, What {mean} these seven ewe-lambs, which thou hast set by themselves?
And he said, For {these} seven ewe-lambs shalt thou take from my hand, that they may be a witness to me, that I have digged this well.
Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba: because there they swore both of them.
Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: Then Abimelech arose, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
And {Abraham} planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days.
And it came to pass after these things, that God tempted Abraham, and said to him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, {here} I {am}.
And he said, Take now thy son, thy only {son} Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will name to thee.
And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and cleft the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose and went to the place which God had named to him.
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
And Abraham said to his young men, Abide you here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and return to you.
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid {it} upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife: and they went both of them together.
And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, here {am} I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where {is} the lamb for a burnt-offering?
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering: so they went both of them together.
And they came to the place which God had named to him; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order; and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
And the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here {am} I.
And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing to him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld from me thy son, thy only {son}.
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind {him} a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said {to} this day, In the mount of the LORD it will be seen.
And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven the second time,
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thy only {son}:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which {is} on the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed: because thou hast obeyed my voice.
So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
And it came to pass after these things, that it was told to Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also borne children to thy brother Nahor;
Huz his first-born, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,
And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah bore to Nahor Abraham's brother.
And his concubine, whose name {was} Reumah, she bore also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.
And Sarah was a hundred and twenty-seven years old: {these were} the years of the life of Sarah.
And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same {is} Hebron in the land of Canaan: And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,
I {am} a stranger and a sojourner with you; give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,
Hear us, my lord; thou {art} a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchers bury thy dead: none of us will withhold from thee his sepulcher, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
And Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the children of Heth.
And he communed with them, saying, If it is your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which {is} in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me, for a possession of a burying-place among you.
And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, of all that entered the gates of his city, saying,
Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I to thee, and the cave that {is} in it, I give it to thee; in the presence of the sons of my people I give it to thee: bury thy dead.
And Abraham bowed himself before the people of the land.
And he spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou {wilt give it}, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field: take {it} of me, and I will bury my dead there.
And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him,
My lord, hearken to me: the land {is worth} four hundred shekels of silver; what {is} that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
And Abraham hearkened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current {money} with the merchant.
And the field of Ephron, which {was} in Machpelah, which {was} before Mamre, the field and the cave which {was} in it, and all the trees that {were} in the field, that {were} in all the borders round about, were made sure
To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that entered the gate of his city.
And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre: the same {is} Hebron in the land of Canaan.
And the field, and the cave that {is} in it were made sure to Abraham for a possession of a burying-place, by the sons of Heth.
And Abraham was old {and} far advanced in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham said to his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I dwell:
But thou shalt go to my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.
And the servant said to him, It may be the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land: must I needs bring thy son again to the land from whence thou camest?
And Abraham said to him, Beware that thou bring not my son thither again.
The LORD God of heaven, who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, To thy seed I will give this land: he will send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence.
And if the woman shall not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only bring not my son thither again.
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter.
And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed; (for all the goods of his master {were} in his hands:) and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water, at the time of the evening, the time when women go out to draw {water}:
And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, prosper me this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Behold, I stand {here} by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: {let the same be} she {that} thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and by that shall I know that thou hast shown kindness to my master.
And it came to pass before he had done speaking, that behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
And the damsel {was} very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water from thy pitcher.
And she said, Drink, my lord. And she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw {water} for thy camels also, till they have done drinking.
And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw {water}, and drew for all his camels.
And the man, wondering at her, held his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous, or not.
And it came to pass as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ear-ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten {shekels} weight of gold;
And said, Whose daughter {art} thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room {in} thy father's house for us to lodge in?
And she said to him, I {am} the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.
She said moreover to him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
And the man bowed his head, and worshipped the LORD.
And he said, Blessed {be} the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left my master destitute of his mercy and his truth: I {being} in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
And the damsel ran, and told these things to her mother's house.
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name {was} Laban: and Laban ran out to the man, to the well.
And it came to pass when he saw the ear-ring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spoke the man to me; that he came to the man; and behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; why standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that {were} with him.
And there was set {food} before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told my errand. And he said, Speak on.
And he said, I {am} Abraham's servant.
And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly, and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and asses.
And Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old: and to him hath he given all that he hath.
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
But thou shalt go to my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son.
And I said to my master, It may be the woman will not follow me.
And he said to me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house.
Then shalt thou be clear from {this} my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee {one}, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
And I came this day to the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou dost prosper my way which I go:
Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw {water}, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
And she saith to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: {let} the same {be} the woman whom the LORD hath pointed out for my master's son.
And before I had done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well, and drew {water}: and I said to her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her {shoulder}, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter {art} thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him: and I put the ear-ring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
And I bowed my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter for his son.
And now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered, and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak to thee bad or good.
Behold, Rebekah {is} before thee, take {her}, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
And it came to pass, that when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, {bowing himself} to the earth.
And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave {them} to Rebekah: He gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
And they ate and drank, he and the men that {were} with him, and tarried all night; and they rose in the morning, and he said, Send me away to my master.
And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us {a few} days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
And he said to them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way: send me away, that I may go to my master.
And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
And they called Rebekah, and said to her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, Thou {art} our sister, be thou {the mother} of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those who hate them.
And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country.
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at evening: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and behold, the camels {were} coming.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel.
For she {had} said to the servant, What man {is} this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant {had} said, It {is} my master: therefore she took a vail and covered herself.
And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's {death}.
Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name {was} Keturah.
And she bore him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim and Leummim.
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these {were} the children of Keturah.
And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.
But to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son (while he yet lived) eastward, to the east country.
And these {are} the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, a hundred and seventy five years.
Then Abraham expired, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full {of years}; and was gathered to his people.
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which {is} before Mamre;
The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac: and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi.
Now these {are} the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham.
And these {are} the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The first-born of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
These {are} the sons of Ishmael, and these {are} their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.
And these {are} the years of the life of Ishmael; a hundred and thirty and seven years: and he expired and died, and was gathered to his people.
And they dwelt from Havilah to Shur, that {is} before Egypt, as thou goest towards Assyria: {and} he died in the presence of all his brethren.
And these {are} the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she {was} barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
And the children struggled together within her: and she said, If {it is} so, why {am} I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.
And the LORD said to her, Two nations {are} in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and {the one} people shall be stronger than {the other} people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, {there were} twins in her womb.
And the first was born red, all over like a hairy garment: and they called his name Esau.
And after that his brother was born, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac {was} sixty years old when she bore them.
And the boys grew: and Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob {was} a plain man dwelling in tents.
And Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of {his} venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he {was} faint.
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red {pottage}; for I {am} faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
And Jacob said, Sell to me this day thy birth-right.
And Esau said, Behold, I {am} at the point to die: and what profit shall this birth-right bring to me?
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him: and he sold his birth-right to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way: thus Esau despised {his} birth-right.
And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines to Gerar.
And the LORD appeared to him, and said, Go not down into Egypt: dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee: for to thee, and to thy seed I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham thy father;
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give to thy seed all these countries: and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed:
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
And the men of the place asked {him} of his wife; and he said, She {is} my sister: for he feared to say, {She is} my wife; lest, {said he}, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she {was} fair to look upon.
And it came to pass when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac {was} sporting with Rebekah his wife.
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, surely she {is} thy wife: and how saidst thou, She {is} my sister? and Isaac said to him, Because I said, Lest I should die on her account.
And Abimelech said, What {is} this thou hast done to us? one of the people might lightly have lain with thy wife, and thou wouldst have brought guiltiness upon us.
And Abimelech charged all {his} people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundred-fold: and the LORD blessed him:
And the man became great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and very many servants: And the Philistines envied him.
For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
And Abimelech said to Isaac, Go from us: for thou art much mightier than we.
And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
And Isaac digged again the wells of water which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
And the herdmen of Gerar contended with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water {is} ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
And they digged another well, and contended for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they did not contend: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
And he went up from thence to Beer-sheba.
And the LORD appeared to him the same night, and said, I {am} the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I {am} with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
And he built an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.
Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
And Isaac said to them, Why come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?
And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, {even} betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;
That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done to thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou {art} now the blessed of the LORD.
And he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.
And they rose betimes in the morning, and swore one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said to him, We have found water.
And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city {is} Beer-sheba to this day.
And Esau was forty years old when he took for a wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Who were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said to him, My son: and he said to him, Behold, {here am} I.
And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me {some} venison;
And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring {it} to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son; and Esau went to the field to hunt {for} venison, {and} to bring it.
And Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak to Esau thy brother, saying,
Bring me venison, and make me savory meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD, before my death.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice, according to that which I command thee.
Go now to the flock, and bring me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
And thou shalt bring {it} to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother {is} a hairy man, and I {am} a smooth man:
My father perhaps will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
And his mother said to him, upon me {be} thy curse, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.
And he went, and took, and brought {them} to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved.
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which was with her in the house, and put it upon Jacob her younger son:
And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands, and on the smooth part of his neck:
And she gave the savory meat, and the bread which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
And he came to his father, and said, My father: And he said, Here {am} I; who {art} thou, my son?
And Jacob said to his father, I {am} Esau thy first-born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac said to his son, How {is it} that thou hast found {it} so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought {it} to me.
And Isaac said to Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou {art} my very son Esau, or not.
And Jacob went near to Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice {is} Jacob's voice, but the hands {are} the hands of Esau.
And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: So he blessed him.
And he said, {Art} thou my very son Esau? And he said, I {am}.
And he said, bring {it} near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought {it} near to him, and he ate: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
And his father Isaac said to him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son {is} as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed {be} every one that curseth thee, and blessed {be} he that blesseth thee.
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob had yet scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
And he also had made savory meat, and brought it to his father; and said to his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac his father said to him, Who {art} thou? And he said, I {am} thy son, thy first-born Esau.
And Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, Who? where {is} he that hath taken venison, and brought {it} me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, {and} he shall be blessed.
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceedingly bitter cry, and said to his father, Bless me, {even} me also, O my father.
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Is he not rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me twice: he took away my birth-right; and behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
And Isaac answered and said to Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now to thee, my son?
And Esau said to his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, {even} me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Isaac his father answered, and said to him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother: and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
And Esau hated Jacob, because of the blessing with which his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as concerning thee, doth comfort himself, {purposing} to kill thee.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury shall turn away;
Till thy brother's anger shall turn away from thee, and he shall forget {that} which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and bring thee from thence. Why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life, because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob shall take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these {who are} of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.
And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land in which thou art a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram, to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him, he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
And that Jacob obeyed his father, and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram;
And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
Then went Esau to Ishmael, and took to the wives which he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.
And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went towards Haran.
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set: and he took of the stones of that place, and put {them for} his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
And behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I {am} the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land on which thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
And behold, I {am} with thee, and will keep thee in all {places} whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land: for I will not leave thee, until I have done {that} which I have declared to thee.
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew {it} not.
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful {is} this place! this {is} no other but the house of God, and this {is} the gate of heaven.
And Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put {for} his pillows, and set it up {for} a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it.
And he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of that city {was called} Luz at the first.
And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
And this stone, which I have set {for} a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth to thee.
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and lo, there {were} three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone {was} upon the well's mouth.
And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in its place.
And Jacob said to them, My brethren, whence {are} ye? And they said, We {are} from Haran.
And he said to them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? and they said, We know {him}.
And he said to them, {Is} he well? And they said, {He is} well: and behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
And he said, Lo, {it is} yet high day, neither {is it} time that the cattle should be collected: water ye the sheep, and go {and} feed {them}.
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks are collected, and {till} they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
And while he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother; that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Jacob told Rachel that he {was} her father's brother, and that he {was} Rebekah's son; and she ran and told her father.
And it came to pass when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
And Laban said to him, Surely thou {art} my bone and my flesh: and he abode with him the space of a month.
And Laban said to Jacob, Because thou {art} my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for naught? tell me, what {shall} thy wages {be}?
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder {was} Leah, and the name of the younger {was} Rachel.
Leah {was} tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored.
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
And Laban said, {It is} better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him {but} a few days, for the love he had to her.
And Jacob said to Laban, Give {me} my wife (for my days are fulfilled) that I may go in to her.
And Laban assembled all the men of the place, and made a feast.
And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in to her.
And Laban gave to his daughter Leah, Zilpah his maid {for} a handmaid.
And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it {was} Leah: and he said to Laban, What {is} this thou hast done to me? did I not serve with thee for Rachel? why then hast thou deceived me?
And Laban said, it must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born.
Fulfill her week, and we will give thee this also, for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel, his daughter, for a wife also.
And Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her maid.
And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
And when the LORD saw that Leah {was} hated, he made her fruitful: but Rachel {was} barren.
And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I {was} hated, he hath therefore given me this {son} also: and she called his name Simeon.
And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Now this time will my husband adhere to me, because I have borne him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
And she conceived again, and bore a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah, and left bearing.
And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, {Am} I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
And she said, Behold, my maid Bilhah, go in to her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
And she gave him Bilhah, her handmaid, for a wife: and Jacob went in to her.
And Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.
And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore she called his name Dan.
And Bilhah, Rachel's maid, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.
And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah, her maid, and gave her Jacob for a wife.
And Zilpah, Leah's maid, bore Jacob a son.
And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
And Zilpah, Leah's maid, bore Jacob a second son.
And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
And Reuben went, in the days of wheat-harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
And she said to her, {Is it} a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.
And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in to me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.
And God hearkened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob the fifth son.
And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
And Leah conceived again, and bore Jacob the sixth son.
And Leah said, God hath endowed me {with} a good dower; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
And afterwards she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and rendered her fruitful.
And she conceived, and bore a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD will add to me another son.
And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country.
Give {me} my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.
And Laban said to him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, {tarry: for} I have learned by experience, that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give {it}.
And he said to him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle were with me.
For {it was} little which thou hadst before I {came}, and it is {now} increased to a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for my own house also?
And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing; if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed {and} keep thy flock:
I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and {of such} shall be my hire.
So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that {is} not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be accounted stolen with me.
And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
And he removed that day the he-goats that were ring-streaked and spotted, and all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted; every one that had {some} white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave {them} into the hands of his sons.
And he set three days' journey between himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
And Jacob took to him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut-tree; and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which {was} in the rods.
And he set the rods, which he had peeled, before the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs, when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.
And Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks towards the ring-streaked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban: and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not with Laban's cattle.
And it came to pass, whenever the stronger cattle conceived, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
But when the cattle were feeble, he put {them} not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
And the man increased exceedingly, and had many cattle, and maid-servants, and men-servants, and camels, and asses.
And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that {was} our father's; and of {that} which {was} our father's hath he obtained all this glory.
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it {was} not towards him as before.
And the LORD said to Jacob, Return to the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field to his flock,
And said to them, I see your father's countenance, that it {is} not towards me as before: but the God of my father hath been with me.
And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times: but God suffered him not to hurt me.
If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bore speckled: and if he said thus, The ring-streaked shall be thy hire; then all the cattle bore ring-streaked.
Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given {them} to me.
And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle {were} ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled.
And the angel of God spoke to me in a dream, {saying}, Jacob: And I said, Here {am} I.
And he said, Lift up now thy eyes and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle {are} ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth to thee.
I {am} the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, {and} where thou vowedst to me a vow: now arise, depart from this land, and return to the land of thy kindred.
And Rachel and Leah answered, and said to him, {Is there} yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
Are we not counted by him strangers; for he hath sold us, and hath quite consumed also our money.
For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that {is} ours, and our children's: now then whatever God hath said to thee, do.
Then Jacob arose, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gained, the cattle of his getting, which he had gained in Padan-aram; to go to Isaac, his father, in the land of Canaan.
And Laban went to shear his sheep; and Rachel had stolen the images that {were} her father's.
And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he was about to depart.
So he fled with all that he had; and he arose, and passed over the river, and set his face {towards} the mount Gilead.
And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled.
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey: and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
And God came to Laban, the Syrian, in a dream by night, and said to him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban, with his brethren, pitched in the mount of Gilead.
And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives {taken} with the sword?
Why didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons, and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in {so} doing.
It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spoke to me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
And now, {though} thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou didst earnestly long after thy father's house; {yet} why hast thou stolen my gods?
And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, It may be thou wouldest take thy daughters from me by force.
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what {is} thine with me, and take {it} to thee: for Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents; but he found {them} not. Then he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found {them} not.
And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women {is} upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
And Jacob was wroth, and chid with Laban: and Jacob answered, and said to Laban, What {is} my trespass? what {is} my sin, that thou hast so eagerly pursued after me?
Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household-stuff? set {it} here before my brethren, and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
These twenty years {have} I {been} with thee: thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
That which was torn by beasts, I brought not to thee; I bore the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, {whether} stolen by day, or stolen by night.
{Thus} I was; in the day the drouth consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from my eyes.
Thus have I been twenty years in thy house: I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou hadst now sent me away empty. God hath seen my affliction, and the labor of my hands, and rebuked {thee} yesternight.
And Laban answered, and said to Jacob, {These} daughters {are} my daughters, and {these} children {are} my children, and {these} cattle {are} my cattle, and all that thou seest {is} mine; and what can I do this day to these my daughters, or to their children which they have borne?
Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
And Jacob took a stone, and set it up {for} a pillar.
And Jacob said to his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap: and they ate there upon the heap.
And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed:
And Laban said, This heap {is} a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed:
And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take {other} wives besides my daughters; no man {is} with us; See, God {is} witness betwixt me and thee.
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold {this} pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
This heap {be} witness, and {this} pillar {be} witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac.
Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they ate bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned to his place.
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
And when Jacob saw them, he said, This {is} God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, to the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak to my lord Esau: Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there till now:
And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and men-servants, and women-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he is coming to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
Then Jacob was greatly afraid, and distressed: and he divided the people that {were} with him, and the flocks, and herds, and camels, into two bands;
And said, If Esau shall come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left, will escape.
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who saidst to me, Return to thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee;
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shown to thy servant: for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he shall come and smite me, {and} the mother with the children.
And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau, his brother;
Two hundred she-goats, and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty she-asses and ten foals.
And he delivered {them} into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said to his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau, my brother, meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose {art} thou? and whither goest thou? and whose {are} these before thee?
Then thou shalt say, They {are} thy servant Jacob's: it {is} a present sent to my lord Esau: and behold also he {is} behind us.
And so he commanded the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, In this manner shall ye speak to Esau, when ye find him.
And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob {is} behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
So the present went over before him; and he himself lodged that night in the company.
And he arose that night, and took his two wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that which he had.
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him, until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh: and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh; And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he said to him, What {is} thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God, and with men, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked {him}, and said, Tell {me}, I pray thee, thy name: And he said, why {is} it {that} thou dost ask after my name? and he blessed him there.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Therefore the children of Israel eat not {of} the sinew which shrunk, which {is} upon the hollow of the thigh, to this day; because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrunk.
And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children to Leah, and to Rachel, and to the two handmaids.
And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
And he passed on before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, till he came near to his brother.
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children, and said, Who {are} those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given to thy servant.
Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.
And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves; and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
And he said, What {meanest} thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, {these are} to find grace in the sight of my lord.
And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep what thou hast to thyself.
And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou hast been pleased with me.
Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough: and he urged him, and he took {it}.
And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
And he said to him, My lord knoweth that the children {are} tender, and the flocks and herds with young {are} with me, and if men should over-drive them one day, all the flock will die.
Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on slowly, according as the cattle that go before me, and the children are able to endure; until I come to my lord to Seir.
And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee {some} of the people that {are} with me: And he said, What needeth it? Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.
So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.
And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which {is} in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.
And he bought a part of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of money.
And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
And when Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
And his soul cleaved to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spoke kindly to the damsel.
And Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel for a wife.
And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter (now his sons were with his cattle in the field:) and Jacob held his peace till they had come.
And Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to commune with him.
And the sons of Jacob came from the field when they heard {it}: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel, in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her to him for a wife.
And make ye marriages with us: give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to you.
And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.
And Shechem said to her father, and to her brethren, Let me find favor in your eyes, and what ye shall say to me, I will give.
Ask me never so much dower and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say to me: but give me the damsel for a wife.
And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, (because he had defiled Dinah their sister,)
And they said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised: for that {would be} a reproach to us:
But in this will we consent to you: If ye will be as we {are}, that every male of you shall be circumcised;
Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
But if ye will not hearken to us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he {was} more honorable than all the house of his father.
And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,
These men {are} peaceable with us, therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein: for the land, behold, {it is} large enough for them: let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
Only herein, will the men consent to us to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us shall be circumcised, as they {are} circumcised.
{Will} not their cattle, and their substance, and every beast of theirs {be} ours? only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.
And to Hamor and to Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city: and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city; because they had defiled their sister.
They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which {was} in the city, and that which {was} in the field.
And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives they took captive, and spoiled even all that {was} in the house.
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites, and the Perizzites: and I {being} few in number, they will assemble themselves against me, and slay me, and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
And they said, Should he deal with our sister, as with a harlot?
And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, who appeared to thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Then Jacob said to his household, and to all that {were} with him, Put away the strange gods that {are} among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
And they gave to Jacob all the strange gods which {were} in their hand, and {the} ear-rings which {were} in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which {was} by Shechem.
And they journeyed: and the terror of God was on the cities that {were} round them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
So Jacob came to Luz, which {is} in the land of Canaan (that is Beth-el) he and all the people that {were} with him.
And he erected there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el; because there God appeared to him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
But Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el, under an oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth.
And God appeared to Jacob again when he came out of Padan-aram; and blessed him.
And God said to him, Thy name {is} Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name; and he called his name Israel.
And God said to him, I {am} God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a multitude of nations shall spring from thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins.
And the land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
And God went up from him, in the place where he talked with him.
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, {even} a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink-offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Beth-el.
And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.
And it came to pass when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
And it came to pass as her soul was in departing (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which {is} Beth-lehem.
And Jacob set a pillar on her grave: that {is} the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.
And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard {it}. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's first-born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher. These {are} the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Padan-aram.
And Jacob came to Isaac his father to Mamre, to the city of Arbah (which {is} Hebron) where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
And the days of Isaac were a hundred and eighty years.
And Isaac expired and died, and was gathered to his people, {being} old and full of days; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Now these {are} the generations of Esau, who {is} Edom.
Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
And Bashemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
And Adah bore to Esau, Eliphaz; and Bashemath bore Reuel;
And Aholibamah bore Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: These {are} the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance which he had acquired in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together: and the land wherein they were strangers could not sustain them, because of their cattle.
Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau {is} Edom.
And these {are} the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites, in mount Seir:
These {are} the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.
And the sons of Eliphaz were, Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.
And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek: these {were} the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
And these {are} the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon Esau's wife: and she bore to Esau, Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
These {were} dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the first-born {son} of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
Duke Korah, duke Gatam, {and} duke Amalek: these {are} the dukes, {descendants} of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom: these {were} the sons of Adah.
And these {are} the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these {are} the dukes, {descendants} of Reuel, in the land of Edom: these {are} the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
And these {are} the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these {were} the dukes, {descendants} of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah Esau's wife.
These {are} the sons of Esau (who {is} Edom) and these {are} their dukes.
These {are} the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah.
And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these {are} the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
And the children of Lotan were Hori, and Heman: and Lotan's sister {was} Timna.
And the children of Shobal {were} these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
And these {are} the children of Zibeon; both Ajah and Anah; this {was that} Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.
And the children of Anah {were} these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.
And these {are} the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
The children of Ezer {are} these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Achan.
The children of Dishan {are} these; Uz, and Aran.
These {are} the dukes, {descendants} of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,
Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan; these {are} the dukes, {descendants} of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.
And these {are} the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city {was} Dinhabah.
And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.
And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad (who smote Midian in the field of Moab) reigned in his stead: and the name of his city {was} Avith.
And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth {by} the river reigned in his stead.
And Saul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead; and the name of his city {was} Pau; and his wife's name {was} Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
And these {are} the names of the dukes, {descendants} of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar.
Duke Magdiel, duke Iram; these {are} the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations, in the land of their possession: he {is} Esau the father of the Edomites.
And Jacob dwelt in the land in which his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
These {are} the generations of Jacob. Joseph {being} seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren, and the lad {was} with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought to his father their evil report.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he {was} the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of {many} colors.
And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told {it} to his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
And he said to them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
For behold, we {were} binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood around and made obeisance to my sheaf.
And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? and they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words.
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more: and behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
And he told {it} to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said to him, what {is} this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.
And Israel said to Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed {the flock} in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee to them. And he said to him, Here {am I}.
And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him from the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
And a certain man found him, and behold {he was} wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed {their flocks}.
And the man said, They have departed hence: for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren and found them in Dothan.
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near to them, they conspired against him to slay him.
And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer is coming.
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit; and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
And Reuben heard {it}, and he delivered him from their hands: and said, Let us not kill him.
And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that {is} in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might deliver him from their hands, to bring him back to his father.
And it came to pass when Joseph had come to his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, {his} coat of {many} colors that {was} on him.
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit {was} empty; {there was} no water in it.
And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery, and balm, and myrrh, going to carry {them} down to Egypt.
And Judah said to his brethren, What profit {is it} if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood.
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he {is} our brother, our flesh: and his brethren were content.
Then there passed by Midianites, merchants; and they drew and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty {pieces} of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
And Reuben returned to the pit; and behold, Joseph {was} not in the pit: and he rent his clothes.
And he returned to his brethren, and said, The child {is} not: and I, whither shall I go?
And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood:
And they sent the coat of {many} colors, and they brought {it} to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it {is} thy son's coat or not.
And he knew it, and said, {It is} my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave to my son mourning: Thus his father wept for him.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, {and} captain of the guard.
And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name {was} Hirah.
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name {was} Shuah; and he took her, and went in to her.
And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.
And she conceived again, and bore a son; and she called his name Onan.
And she yet again conceived, and bore a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bore him.
And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name {was} Tamar.
And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
And Judah said to Onan, Go in to thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his: and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he frustrated the purpose, lest he should give seed to his brother.
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be grown; (for he said, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren {did}:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
And in process of time, the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died: and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep-shearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
And it was told to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnath, to shear his sheep.
And she put off from her, her widow's garments, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which {is} by the way to Timnath: for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him for a wife.
When Judah saw her, he thought her {to be} a harlot; because she had covered her face.
And he turned to her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me have access to thee; (for he knew not that she {was} his daughter-in-law:) and she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayst have access to me?
And he said, I will send {thee} a kid from the flock: and she said, Wilt thou give {me} a pledge, till thou sendest {it}?
And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? and she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that {is} in thy hand: and he gave {them to} her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.
And she arose and went her way and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive {his} pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.
Then he asked the men of that place, saying, where {is} the harlot that {was} openly by the way-side? and they said, There was no harlot in this {place}.
And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, {that} there was no harlot in this {place}.
And Judah said, Let her take {it} to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told to Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and also, behold she {is} with child by lewdness: and Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
When she {was} brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man whose these {are}, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose {are} these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
And Judah acknowledged {them}, and said She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son: and he knew her again no more.
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that behold, twins {were} in her womb.
And it came to pass when she travailed, that {the one} put out {his} hand; and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
And it came to pass as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out; and she said, How hast thou broken forth? {this} breach {be} upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
And afterwards came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand; and his name was called Zarah.
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt: and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down thither.
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man: and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the LORD {was} with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all {that} he had he put into his hand.
And it came to pass from the time {that} he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake: and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house, and in the field.
And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he ate; and Joseph was {a} goodly {person}, and well favored.
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph: and she said, Lie with me.
But he refused, and said to his master's wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what {is} with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand:
{There is} none greater in his house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou {art} his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not to her, to lie by her, {or} to be with her.
And it came to pass, about this time, that {Joseph} went into the house to do his business; and {there was} none of the men of the house there within.
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and went out.
And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had fled forth,
That she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us: he came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
And it came to pass, when he heard that I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and went out.
And she laid up his garment by her until his lord came home.
And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought to us, came in to me to mock me.
And it came to pass, as I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled.
And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners {were} bound: and he was there in the prison.
But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that {were} in the prison; and whatever they did there, was done by him.
The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing {that was} under his hand; because the LORD was with him: and {that} which he did the LORD made {it} to prosper.
And it came to pass after these things, {that} the butler of the king of Egypt and {his} baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
And Pharaoh was wroth with two {of} his officers, with the chief of the butlers, and with the chief of the bakers.
And he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph {was} bound.
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; and they continued a season in custody.
And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream; the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who {were} bound in the prison.
And Joseph came to them in the morning, and looked upon them, and behold, they {were} sad.
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that {were} with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Why look ye {so} sad to-day?
And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and {there is} no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, {Do} not interpretations {belong} to God? tell me {them}, I pray you.
And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine {was} before me;
And on the vine {were} three branches: and it {was} as though it budded, {and} its blossoms shot forth; and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes:
And Pharaoh's cup {was} in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
And Joseph said to him, This {is} the interpretation of it: The three branches {are} three days;
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head, and restore thee to thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness to me, I pray thee, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, I also {was} in my dream, and behold, {I had} three white baskets on my head:
And in the uppermost basket {there was} of all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh; and the birds ate them out of the basket upon my head.
And Joseph answered, and said, This {is} the interpretation of it: The three baskets {are} three days:
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
And it came to pass the third day, {which was} Pharaoh's birth-day, that he made a feast to all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
And he restored the chief butler to his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and behold, he stood by the river.
And behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored cows and fat-fleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed; and stood by the {other} cows upon the brink of the river.
And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed cows ate up the seven well-favored and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.
And he slept and dreamed the second time: and behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
And behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, {it was} a dream.
And it came to pass in the morning, that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but {there was} none that could interpret them to Pharaoh.
Then spoke the chief butler to Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in custody in the captain of the guard's house, {both} me, and the chief baker:
And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he: we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
And {there was} there with us a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he interpreted.
And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was: me he restored to my office, and him he hanged.
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved {himself}, and changed his raiment, and came before Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and {there is} none that can interpret it: and I have heard it said of thee, {that} thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, {It is} not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
And behold, there came out of the river seven cows, fat-fleshed, and well-favored; and they fed in a meadow:
And behold, seven other cows came out after them, poor, and very ill-favored, and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
And the lean and the ill-favored cows ate up the first seven fat cows:
And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they {were} still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
And I saw in my dream, and behold, seven ears came up on one stalk, full and good:
And behold, seven ears, withered, thin, {and} blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told {this} to the magicians; but {there was} none that could explain {it} to me.
And Joseph said to Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh {is} one; God hath showed Pharaoh what he {is} about to do.
The seven good cows {are} seven years; and the seven good ears {are} seven years: the dream {is} one.
And the seven thin and ill-favored cows that came up after them {are} seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind will be seven years of famine.
This {is} the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh: What God {is} about to do he showeth to Pharaoh.
Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of the famine following: for it {will be} very grievous.
And for that the dream was doubled to Pharaoh twice; {it is} because the thing {is} established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Let Pharaoh do {this}, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh; and let them keep food in the cities.
And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land may not perish through the famine.
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find {such a man} as this {is}, a man in whom the spirit of God {is}?
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shown thee all this, {there is} none so discreet and wise as thou {art}:
Thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had: and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him {ruler} over all the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I {am} Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him for a wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On: and Joseph went over {all} the land of Egypt.
And Joseph {was} thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt: and Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfulls.
And he gathered all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field which {was} around every city, he laid up in the same.
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for {it was} without number.
And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came: which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bore to him.
And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh: For God, {said he}, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, Go to Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
And the famine was over all the face of the earth; and Joseph opened all the store-houses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy {corn}; because the famine was distressing in all lands.
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: go down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren: for he said, Lest perhaps mischief shall befall him.
And the sons of Israel came to buy {corn} among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
And Joseph {was} the governor over the land, {and} he {it was} that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed themselves before him {with} their faces to the earth.
And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange to them, and spoke roughly to them; and he said to them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said to them, Ye {are} spies; to see the nakedness of the land have ye come.
And they said to him, No, my lord, but to buy food have thy servants come.
We {are} all one man's sons; we {are} true {men}; thy servants are no spies.
And he said to them, No, but to see the nakedness of the land have ye come.
And they said, Thy servants {are} twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest {is} this day with our father, and one {is} not.
And Joseph said to them, That {is} what I spoke to you, saying, Ye {are} spies:
By this ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother shall come hither.
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether {there is any} truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye {are} spies.
And he put them all together into custody three days.
And Joseph said to them the third day, This do, and live; {for} I fear God:
If ye {are} true {men}, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
But bring your youngest brother to me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
And they said one to another, We {are} verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
And Reuben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you, saying, Do not sin against the young man; and ye would not hear? therefore behold also his blood is required.
And they knew not that Joseph understood {them}; for he spoke to them by an interpreter.
And he turned himself away from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he to them.
And they loaded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money: for behold, it {was} in his sack's mouth.
And he said to his brethren, My money is restored; and see {it is} even in my sack: and their heart failed {them}, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What {is} this {that} God hath done to us?
And they came to Jacob their father to the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell them, saying,
The man {who is} the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
And we said to him, We {are} true {men}; we are no spies:
We {are} twelve brethren, sons of our father: one {is} not, and the youngest {is} this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
And the man, the lord of the country, said to us, By this shall I know that ye {are} true {men}: leave one of your brethren {here} with me, and take {food for} the famine of your households, and depart:
And bring your youngest brother to me: then shall I know that ye {are} no spies, but {that} ye {are} true {men}: then will I deliver to you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that behold, every man's bundle of money {was} in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
And Jacob their father said to them, Me have ye bereaved: Joseph {is} not, and Simeon {is} not, and ye will take Benjamin {away}: all these things are against me.
And Reuben spoke to his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief shall befall him by the way in which ye go, then will ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
And the famine {was} severe in the land.
And it came to pass, when they had consumed the corn which they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, Go again, buy us a little food.
And Judah spoke to him, saying, The man did solemnly protest to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother {be} with you.
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
But if thou wilt not send {him}, we will not go down, for the man said to us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother {be} with you.
And Israel said, Why dealt ye {so} ill with me, {as} to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
And they said, The man asked us strictly concerning our state, and our kindred, saying, {Is} your father yet alive? have ye {another} brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: Could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
And Judah said to Israel, his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, {and} also our little ones.
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not to thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
For except we had delayed, surely now we had returned this second time.
And their father Israel said to them, If {it must be} so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry to the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks, carry {it} again in your hand; it may be it {was} an oversight:
Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man:
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin: If I be bereaved, I am bereaved.
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and arose, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring {these} men home, and slay, and make ready: for {these} men shall dine with me at noon.
And the man did as Joseph commanded: and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bond-men, and our asses.
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
And said, O sir, we came down indeed at the first time to buy food:
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and behold, {every} man's money {was} in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
And he said, Peace {be} to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out to them.
And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave {them} water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
And they made ready the present against Joseph should come at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which {was} in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
And he asked them of {their} welfare, and said, {Is} your father well, the old man of whom ye spoke? {Is} he yet alive?
And they answered, Thy servant, our father, {is} in good health, he {is} yet alive: and they bowed their heads and made obeisance.
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, {Is} this your younger brother, of whom ye spoke to me? And he said, God be gracious to thee, my son.
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels yearned towards his brother: and he sought {where} to weep; and he entered into {his} chamber, and wept there.
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with him, by themselves; because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that {is} an abomination to the Egyptians.
And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birth-right, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men wondered one at another.
And he took {and sent} messes to them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks {with} food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money: and he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they, and their asses.
{And} when they had gone out of the city, {and} were not {yet} far off, Joseph said to his steward, Arise, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say to them, Why have ye rewarded evil for good?
{Is} not this {the cup} in which my lord drinketh, and by which indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.
And they said to him, Why saith my lord these words? Far be it from us that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Behold, the money which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again to thee from the land of Canaan: how then should we steal from thy lord's house silver or gold?
With whom {soever} of thy servants it shall be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bond-men.
And he said, Now also {let} it {be} according to your words: he with whom it shall be found, shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
And he searched, {and} began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
Then they rent their clothes, and loaded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house, (for he {was} yet there:) and they fell before him on the ground.
And Joseph said to them, What deed {is} this that ye have done? knew ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
And Judah said, What shall we say to my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold we {are} my lord's servants, both we, and {he} also with whom the cup is found.
And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so: the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, go in peace to your father.
Then Judah came near to him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thy anger burn against thy servant; for thou {art} even as Pharaoh.
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one: and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
And thou saidst to thy servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes upon him.
And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for {if} he should leave his father, {his father} would die.
And thou saidst to thy servants, Except your youngest brother shall come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
And it came to pass, when we came to thy servant, my father, we told him the words of my lord.
And our father said, Go again; buy us a little food.
And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother shall be with us, then will we go down; for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother shall {be} with us.
And thy servant my father, said to us, Ye know that my wife bore me two {sons}:
And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I have not seen him since:
And if ye take this also from me, and mischief shall befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Now therefore, when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is not with us; (seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life)
It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad {is} not {with us}, that he will die: and thy servants will bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father, with sorrow to the grave.
For thy servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, If I bring him not to thee, then I will bear the blame to my father for ever.
Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad, a bond-man to my lord; and let the lad return with his brethren.
For how shall I return to my father, and the lad {be} not with me? lest perhaps I see the evil that shall come on my father.
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me: and there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren.
And he wept aloud; and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
And Joseph said to his brethren, I {am} Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
And Joseph said to his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you: and they came near. And he said, I {am} Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
For these two years {hath} the famine {been} in the land: and yet {there are} five years, in which {there shall} neither {be} tillage nor harvest.
And God sent me before you, to preserve for you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
So now {it was} not you {that} sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Haste ye, and return to my father, and say to him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; delay not:
And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near to me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
And there will I nourish thee, (for yet {there are} five years of famine,) lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, should come to poverty.
And behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that {it is} my mouth that speaketh to you.
And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen: and ye shall haste, and bring down my father hither.
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
And the fame of this was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to thy brethren, This do ye; load your beasts, and go, return to the land of Canaan;
And take your father, and your households, and come to me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take for yourselves wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
Also regard not your furniture; for the good of all the land of Egypt {is} yours.
And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment: but to Benjamin he gave three hundred {pieces} of silver, and five changes of raiment.
And to his father he sent after this {manner}; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn and bread and meat, for his father by the way.
So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said to them, See that ye contend not by the way.
And they went up from Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father,
And told him, saying, Joseph {is} yet alive, and he {is} governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
And Israel said, {It is} enough; Joseph my son {is} yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
And God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob: and he said, Here {am} I.
And he said, I {am} God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up {again}: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
And they took their cattle, and their goods which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
And these {are} the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's first-born.
And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron, and Hamul.
And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
These {are} the sons of Leah, which she bore to Jacob in Padan-aram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters {were} thirty and three.
And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggai, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
These {are} the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter: and these she bore to Jacob, {even} sixteen souls.
The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bore to him.
And the sons of Benjamin {were} Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
These {are} the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob; all the souls {were} fourteen.
And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
These {are} the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, and she bore these to Jacob: all the souls {were} seven.
All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, who came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls {were} sixty and six.
And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt, {were} two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, who came into Egypt, {were} seventy.
And he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to direct his face to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went to meet Israel his father to Goshen; and presented himself to him: and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
And Israel said to Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou {art} yet alive.
And Joseph said to his brethren, and to his father's house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and say to him, My brethren, and my father's house, who {were} in the land of Canaan are come to me.
And the men {are} shepherds, for their employment hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What {is} your occupation?
That ye shall say, The occupation of thy servants hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, {and} also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd {is} an abomination to the Egyptians.
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, have come from the land of Canaan; and behold, they {are} in the land of Goshen.
And he took some of his brethren, {even} five men, and presented them to Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said to his brethren, What {is} your occupation? And they said to Pharaoh, Thy servants {are} shepherds, both we, {and} also our fathers.
They said moreover to Pharaoh, We have come to sojourn in the land: for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine {is} severe in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren have come to thee:
The land of Egypt {is} before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell; and if thou knowest {any} men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said to Jacob, How old {art} thou?
And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage {are} a hundred and thirty years: few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, nor have they attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread according to {their} families.
And {there was} no bread in all the land; for the famine {was} very distressing, so that the land of Egypt, and {all} the land of Canaan, fainted by reason of the famine.
And Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence: for the money faileth.
And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money hath failed.
And they brought their cattle to Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread {in exchange} for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses; and he fed them with bread, for all their cattle, for that year.
When that year was ended, they came to him the second year, and said to him, We will not hide from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not aught left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies and our lands:
Why shall we die before thy eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh: and give {us} seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.
And as for the people, he removed them to cities from {one} end of the borders of Egypt even to the {other} end thereof.
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion {assigned them} by Pharaoh, and ate their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Then Joseph said to the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, {here is} seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth {part} to Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, {that} Pharaoh should have the fifth {part}; except the land of the priests only, {which} became not Pharaoh's.
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions in it and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was a hundred and forty seven years.
And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying-place. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
And he said, Swear to me: and he swore to him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
And it came to pass after these things, that {one} told Joseph, Behold, thy father {is} sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
And {one} told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh to thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz, in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
And said to me, Behold I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee, {for} an everlasting possession.
And now, thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to thee in the land of Egypt, before I came to thee into Egypt, {are} mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, {and} shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan, in the way, when yet {there was} but a little way to come to Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath, the same {is} Beth-lehem.
And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who {are} these?
And Joseph said to his father, They {are} my sons, whom God hath given me in this {place}. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, to me, and I will bless them.
(Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, {so that} he could not see:) And he brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
And Israel said to Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and lo, God hath shown me also thy seed.
And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel's right hand, and brought {them} near to him.
And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid {it} upon Ephraim's head, who {was} the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands by design; for Manasseh {was} the first-born.
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who hath fed me all my life long to this day,
The angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac: and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he lifted his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.
And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father; for this {is} the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.
And his father refused, and said, I know {it}, my son, I know {it}; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I die; but God shall be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.
Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
And Jacob called to his sons, and said, Assemble yourselves, that I may tell you {that} which shall befall you in the last days.
Assemble yourselves, and hear, ye sons of Jacob: and hearken to Israel your father.
Reuben, thou {art} my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellence of dignity, and the excellence of power:
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou {it}; he went up to my couch.
Simeon and Levi {are} brethren: instruments of cruelty {are in}, their habitations.
O my soul, come not thou into their secret; to their assembly, my honor, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall.
Cursed {be} their anger, for {it was} fierce: and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
Judah, thou {art he} whom thy brethren shall praise; thy hand {shall be} on the neck of thy enemies: thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
Judah {is} a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou hast gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion: who shall rouse him up?
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh shall come: and to him {shall be} the gathering of the people.
Binding his foal to the vine, and his ass's colt to the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
His eyes {shall be} red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he {shall be} for a haven of ships; and his border {shall be} to Zidon.
Issachar {is} a strong ass, couching down between two burdens:
And he saw that rest {was} good, and the land that {it was} pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant to tribute.
Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse-heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
I have waited for thy salvation O LORD.
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
Out of Asher his bread {shall be} fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
Naphtali {is} a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
Joseph {is} a fruitful bough, {even} a fruitful bough by a well; {whose} branches run over the wall:
The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot {at him}, and hated him:
But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty {God} of Jacob: from thence {is} the shepherd the stone of Israel:
{Even} by the God of thy father, who shall help thee, and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth beneath, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
Benjamin shall raven {as} a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
All these {are} the twelve tribes of Israel: and this {is it} which their father spoke to them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
And he charged them, and said to them, I am to be gathered to my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that {is} in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
In the cave that {is} in the field of Machpelah, which {is} before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burying-place.
(There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah,)
The purchase of the field and of the cave that {is} in it, {was} from the children of Heth.
And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, and expired, and was gathered to his people.
And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.
And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.
And forty days were fulfilled for him; (for so are fulfilled the days of those who are embalmed:) and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,
My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.
And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.
And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,
And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen.
And there went with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
And they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, which {is} beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This {is} a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abel-mizraim, which {is} beyond Jordan.
And his sons did to him according as he commanded them:
For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a burying-place of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.
And Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will perhaps hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did to him.
And they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, Thy father commanded before he died, saying,
So shall ye say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did to thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face: and they said, Behold, we {are} thy servants.
And Joseph said to them, Fear not: for {am} I in the place of God?
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; {but} God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as {it is} this day, to save many people alive.
Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years.
And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third {generation}: the children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
And Joseph said to his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land, to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
So Joseph died, {being} a hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Now these {are} the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
And all the souls that descended from Jacob, were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt {already}.
And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and became exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.
And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel {are} more and mightier than we.
Come, let us deal wisely with them: lest they multiply, and it shall come to pass, that when there falleth out any war, they will join with our enemies, and fight against us, and depart from the land.
Therefore they set over them task-masters, to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure-cities, Pithom, and Raamses.
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor.
And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service in which they made them serve, {was} with rigor.
And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives (of which the name of one {was} Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:)
And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see {them} upon the stools; if it {shall be} a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it {shall be} a daughter, then she shall live.
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male-children alive.
And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the male-children alive?
And the midwives said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women {are} not as the Egyptian women: for they {are} lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in to them.
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and became very mighty.
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and married a daughter of Levi.
And the woman conceived, and bore a son: and when she saw him that he {was a} goodly {child}, she hid him three months.
And when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid {it} in the flags by the river's brink.
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash {herself} at the river, and her maidens walked along by the river's side: and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
And when she had opened {it}, she saw the child: and behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This {is one} of the Hebrews' children.
Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go, and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.
And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give {thee} thy wages. And the woman took the child and nursed it.
And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that {there was} no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Why smitest thou thy fellow?
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew {water}, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How {is it that} you are come so soon to day?
And they said, An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and also drew {water} enough for us, and watered the flock.
And he said to his daughters, And where {is} he? why {is} it {that} ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
And she bore {him} a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried; and their cry ascended to God, by reason of the bondage.
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect to {them}.
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, {even} to Horeb.
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush {was} not consumed.
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here {am} I.
And he said, Approach not hither: put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place on which thou standest {is} holy ground.
Moreover he said, I {am} the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face: for he was afraid to look upon God.
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people who {are} in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their task-masters; for I know their sorrows;
And I am come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land, to a good land, and a large, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come to me: and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
Come now therefore, and I will send thee to Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
And Moses said to God, Who {am} I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this {shall be} a token to thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
And Moses said to God, Behold, {when} I come to the children of Israel, and shall say to them, The God of your fathers hath sent me to you; and they shall say to me, What {is} his name? What shall I say to them?
And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: And he said, Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me to you.
And God said, moreover, to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me to you: this {is} my name for ever, and this {is} my memorial to all generations.
Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you, and {seen} that which is done to you in Egypt.
And I have said, I will bring you out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.
And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and ye shall say to him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go (we beseech thee) three days journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
But every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, and of her that dwelleth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put {them} upon your sons, and upon your daughters: and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
And Moses answered and said, But behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken to my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared to thee.
And the LORD said to him, What {is} that in thy hand? And he said, A rod.
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent: and Moses fled from before it.
And the LORD said to Moses, Put forth thy hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared to thee.
And the LORD said furthermore to him, Put now thy hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand {was} leprous as snow.
And he said, Put thy hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was turned again as his {other} flesh.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken to thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour {it} upon the dry {land}: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry {land}.
And Moses said to the LORD, O my Lord, I {am} not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoke to thy servant: but I {am} slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
And the LORD said to him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD.
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand {of him whom} thou wilt send.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, {Is} not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
And thou shalt speak to him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
And he shall speak for thee to the people: and he shall be, {even} he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
And thou shalt take this rod in thy hand, with which thou shalt perform signs.
And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return to my brethren who {are} in Egypt, and see whether they are yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead who sought thy life.
And Moses took his wife, and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
And the LORD said to Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou perform all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
And thou shalt say to Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel {is} my son, {even} my first-born.
And I say to thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou shalt refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, {even} thy first-born.
And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.
Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast {it} at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband {art} thou to me.
So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband {thou art}, because of the circumcision.
And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
And Moses and Aaron went, and assembled all the elders of the children of Israel:
And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses, and performed the signs in the sight of the people.
And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads, and worshiped.
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.
And Pharaoh said, Who {is} the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice to the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
And the king of Egypt said to them, Why do ye, Moses and Aaron, hinder the people from their works; go you to your burdens.
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now {are} many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the task-masters of the people, and their officers, saying,
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore; let them go and gather straw for themselves.
And the number of the bricks which they made heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish {aught} thereof; for they are idle: therefore they cry, saying, Let us go {and} sacrifice to our God.
Let more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein: and let them not regard vain words.
And the task-masters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not aught of your work shall be diminished.
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble instead of straw.
And the task-masters hastened {them}, saying, Fulfill your works, {your} daily tasks, as when there was straw.
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's task-masters had set over them, were beaten, {and} demanded, Why have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yesterday and to-day, as heretofore?
Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why dealest thou thus with thy servants?
There is no straw given to thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and behold, thy servants {are} beaten; but the fault {is} in thy own people.
But he said, Ye {are} idle, {ye are} idle: therefore ye say, Let us go, {and} do sacrifice to the LORD.
Go therefore now, {and} work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the number of bricks.
And the officers of the children of Israel saw {that} they {were} in evil {case}, after it was said, Ye shall not diminish {aught} from your bricks of your daily task.
And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
And they said to them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hands to slay us.
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Lord, why hast thou {so} ill treated this people? why {is} it {that} thou hast sent me?
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
Then the LORD said to Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them from his land.
And God spoke to Moses, and said to him, I {am} the LORD:
And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by {the name of} God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers.
And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage: and I have remembered my covenant.
Wherefore say to the children of Israel, I {am} the LORD, and I will bring you from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with out-stretched arm, and with great judgments:
And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD your God, who bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
And I will bring you into the land, concerning which I swore to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I {am} the LORD.
And Moses spoke so to the children of Israel: but they hearkened not to Moses, by reason of anguish of spirit, and cruel bondage.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Go in, speak to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel depart from his land.
And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who {am} of uncircumcised lips?
And the LORD spoke to Moses, and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
These {are} the heads of their father's houses: The sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these {are} the families of Reuben.
And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these {are} the families of Simeon.
And these {are} the names of the sons of Levi, according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi {were} a hundred and thirty-seven years.
The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath {were} a hundred and thirty-three years.
And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these {are} the families of Levi, according to their generations.
And Amram took him Jochebed, his father's sister, for a wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram {were} a hundred and thirty-seven years.
And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
And Aaron took him Elisheba daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, for a wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these {are} the families of the Korhites.
And Eleazar, Aaron's son, took him {one} of the daughters of Putiel for a wife; and she bore to him Phinehas: these {are} the heads of the fathers of the Levites, according to their families.
These {are} that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.
These {are} they who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these {are} that Moses and Aaron.
And it came to pass, on the day {when} the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,
That the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, I {am} the LORD: speak thou to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, all that I say to thee.
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I {am} of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken to me?
And the LORD said to Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
But Pharaoh shall not hearken to you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my armies, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt, by great judgments.
And the Egyptians shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
And Moses {was} eighty years old, and Aaron eighty and three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, and to Aaron, saying,
When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say to Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast {it} before Pharaoh, {and} it shall become a serpent.
And Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Then Pharaoh also called the wise-men, and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart that he hearkened not to them; as the LORD had said.
And the LORD said to Moses, Pharaoh's heart {is} hardened; he refuseth to let the people go.
Go to Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out to the water, and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he cometh; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand.
And thou shalt say to him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me to thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that {is} in my hand upon the waters which {are} in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
And the fish that {is} in the river shall die, and the river shall be offensive in smell; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, Say to Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood: and {that} there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in {vessels of} wood, and in {vessels of} stone.
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod and smote the waters that {were} in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that {were} in the river were turned into blood.
And the fish that {was} in the river died; and the river was offensive in smell, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken to them; as the LORD had said.
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he regard this also.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And seven days were fulfilled after that the LORD had smitten the river.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, Go to Pharaoh, and say to him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go that they may serve me.
And if thou shalt refuse to let {them} go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thy house, and into thy bed-chamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy ovens, and into thy kneading troughs:
And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch forth thy hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.
And Aaron stretched his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the LORD that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people: and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice to the LORD.
And Moses said to Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee, and thy houses, {that} they may remain in the river only?
And he said, To-morrow. And he said, {Be it} according to thy word; that thou mayest know that {there is} none like the LORD our God.
And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried to the LORD, because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses: and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.
And they gathered them into heaps: and the land was offensive in smell.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respit, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not to them, as the LORD had said.
And the LORD said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
And they did so: for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
And the magicians did so with their inchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man and upon beast.
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, This {is} the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not to them; as the LORD had said.
And the LORD said to Moses, Rise early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; (lo, he cometh forth to the water) and say to him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms {of flies} upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms {of flies}, and also the ground on which they {are}.
And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms {of flies} shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I {am} the LORD in the midst of the earth.
And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to-morrow shall this sign be.
And the LORD did so: and there came a grievous swarm {of flies} into the house of Pharaoh, and {into} his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm {of flies}.
And Pharaoh called for Moses, and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: Lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?
We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he shall command us.
And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me.
And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the Lord that the swarms {of flies} may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to-morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more, in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.
And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD:
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms {of flies} from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.
And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Then the LORD said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For if thou shalt refuse to let {them} go, and wilt hold them still,
Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which are in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: {there shall be} a very grievous murrain.
And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel, and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all {that} belongs to the children of Israel.
And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To-morrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.
And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.
And Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
And the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it towards heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth {with} blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it towards heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth {with} blains upon man, and upon beast.
And the magicians could not stand before Moses, because of the boil: for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not to them; as the LORD had spoke to Moses.
And the LORD said to Moses, Rise early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thy heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people: that thou mayest know that {there is} none like me in all the earth.
For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
And in very deed for this {cause} have I raised thee up, to show {in} thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
As yet dost thou exalt thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Behold, to-morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since its foundation even until now.
Send therefore now, {and} gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field: {for upon} every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
He that feared the word of the LORD, among the servants of Pharaoh, made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
And he that regarded not the word of the LORD, left his servants and his cattle in the field.
And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch forth thy hand towards heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
And Moses stretched forth his rod towards heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground: and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there had been none like it in all the land of Egypt, since it became a nation.
And the hail smote, throughout all the land of Egypt, all that {was} in the field, both man and beast, and the hail smote every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel {were}, there was no hail.
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, I have sinned this time: the LORD {is} righteous, and I and my people {are} wicked.
Entreat the LORD (for {it is} enough) that there be no {more} mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
And Moses said to him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands to the LORD; {and} the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth {is} the LORD'S.
But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.
And the flax and the barley were smitten: for the barley {was} in the ear, and the flax {was} bolled.
But the wheat and the rye were not smitten; for they {were} not grown up.
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands to the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders had ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
And the LORD said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants; that I might show these my signs before him:
And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I {am} the LORD.
And Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Else, if thou shalt refuse to let my people go, behold, to-morrow will I bring the locusts into thy border:
And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which hath escaped, which remaineth to you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:
And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth to this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh's servants said to him, How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
And Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh: and he said to them, Go, serve the LORD your God: {but} who {are} they that shall go?
And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we {must hold} a feast to the LORD.
And he said to them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look {to it}; for evil {is} before you.
Not so: go now ye {that are} men, and serve the LORD; for that you desired. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, {even} all that the hail hath left.
And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all {that} night: {and} when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the borders of Egypt: very grievous {were they}; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them will be such.
For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing on the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.
Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God that he may take away from me this death only.
And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD.
And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea: there remained not one locust in all the borders of Egypt.
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out thy hand towards heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness {which} may be felt.
And Moses stretched forth his hand towards heaven: and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
And Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.
And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices, and burnt-offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind; for of them must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
And Pharaoh said to him, Depart from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more: for in {that} day thou seest my face, thou shalt die.
And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
And the LORD said to Moses, Yet will I bring one plague {more} upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let {you} go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses {was} very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even to the first-born of the maid-servant that {is} behind the mill; and all the first-born of beasts.
And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there hath been none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
And all these thy servants shall come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, Depart thou, and all the people that follow thee; and after that I will depart: and he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
And the LORD said to Moses, Pharaoh will not hearken to you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel depart from his land.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
This month {shall be} to you the beginning of months: it {shall be} the first month of the year to you.
Speak ye to all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth {day} of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of {their} fathers, a lamb for a house:
And if the household shall be too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take {it} according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take {it} from the sheep or from the goats:
And ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
And they shall take of the blood, and strike {it} on the two side-posts, and on the upper door-post of the houses, in which they shall eat it.
And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire; and unleavened bread, {and} with bitter {herbs} they shall eat it.
Eat not of it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted {with} fire; its head with its legs, and with its entrails.
And ye shall let nothing of it remain till the morning: and that which remaineth of it till the morning ye shall burn with fire.
And thus shall ye eat it; {with} your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand: and ye shall eat it in haste; it {is} the LORD'S passover.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast: and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I {am} the LORD.
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye {are}: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy {you}, when I smite the land of Egypt.
And this day shall be to you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations: ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whoever eateth leavened bread, from the first day till the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
And in the first day {there shall be} a holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you: no manner of work shall be done in them, save {that} which every man must eat, that only may be done by you.
And ye shall observe {the feast of} unleavened bread; for in this same day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
In the first {month}, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, ye shall eat unleavened bread, till the one and twentieth day of the month at evening.
Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he shall be a stranger, or born in the land.
Ye shall eat nothing leavened: in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, Draw out, and take you a lamb, according to your families, and kill the passover.
And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip {it} in the blood that {is} in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that {is} in the basin: and none of you shall go out at the door of his house till the morning.
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite {you}.
And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
And it shall come to pass, when ye shall have come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say to you, What mean you by this service?
That ye shall say, It {is} the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshiped.
And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne, to the first-born of the captive that {was} in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle.
And Pharaoh rose in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt: for {there was} not a house where {there was} not one dead.
And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Arise, {and} depart from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel: and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone: and bless me also.
And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We {are} all dead {men}.
And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses: and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment.
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent to them {such things as they requested}: and they spoiled the Egyptians.
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot {that were} men, besides children.
And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, {even} very many cattle.
And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought from Egypt, for it was not leavened: because they were driven from Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victuals.
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt, {was} four hundred and thirty years.
And it came to pass, at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the same day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD departed from the land of Egypt.
It {is} a night to be much observed to the LORD, for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this {is} that night of the LORD to be observed by all the children of Israel in their generations.
And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, This {is} the ordinance of the passover: there shall no stranger eat of it.
But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat of it.
A foreigner, and a hired servant shall not eat of it.
In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry aught of the flesh abroad out of the house: neither shall ye break a bone of it.
All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
One law shall be to him that is home-born, and to the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
And it came to pass the same day, {that} the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Sanctify to me all the first-born, whatever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, {both} of man and of beast: it {is} mine.
And Moses said to the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this {place}: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
This day ye came out in the month Abib.
And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey; that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day {shall be} a feast to the LORD.
Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days: and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, {This is done} because of that {which} the LORD did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.
And it shall be for a sign to thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thy eyes; that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.
And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it to thee,
That thou shall set apart to the LORD all that openeth the matrix; and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast, the males {shall be} the LORD'S.
And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the first-born of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What {is} this? that thou shalt say to him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man, and the first-born of beasts: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the first-born of my children I redeem.
And it shall be for a token upon thy hand, and for frontlets between thy eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not {through} the way of the land of the Philistines, although that {was} near, for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.
But God led the people about, {through} the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnassed from the land of Egypt.
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had strictly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones hence with you.
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light: to go by day and night.
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, {from} before the people.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They {are} entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I {am} the LORD. And they did so.
And it was told to the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with a high hand.
But the Egyptians pursued them (all the horses {and} chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army) and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were greatly afraid; and the children of Israel cried to the LORD.
And they said to Moses, Because {there were} no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why hast thou dealt thus with us, to conduct us out of Egypt?
{Is} not this the word that we told thee in Egypt, Saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For {it had been} better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
And Moses said to the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
The LORD will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
And the LORD said to Moses, Why criest thou to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward:
But lift thou thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry {ground} through the midst of the sea.
And I, behold I, will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen.
And the Egyptians shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removed, and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness {to them}, but it gave light by night {to these}: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go {back} by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry {land}, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry {ground}: and the waters {were} a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, {even} all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And it came to pass, that, in the morning-watch, the LORD looked to the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire, and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
And took off their chariot-wheels, and made them to move heavily, so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, {and} all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
But the children of Israel walked upon dry {land} in the midst of the sea; and the waters {were} a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians: and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore.
And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The LORD {is} my strength and song, and he {is} become my salvation: he {is} my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD {is} a man of war: the LORD {is} his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
The depths have covered them: they sunk to the bottom as a stone.
Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of thy excellence thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, {which} consumed them as stubble.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were collected, the floods stood upright as a heap, {and} the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sunk as lead in the mighty waters.
Who {is} like to thee, O LORD, among the gods? who {is} like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders!
Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people {which} thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided {them} in thy strength to thy holy habitation.
The people shall hear, {and} be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thy arm they shall be {as} still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, {which} thou hast purchased.
Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thy inheritance, {in} the place, O LORD, {which} thou hast made for thee to dwell in; {in} the sanctuary, O LORD. {which} thy hands have established.
The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry {land} in the midst of the sea.
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her, with timbrels, and with dances.
And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah; for they {were} bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried to the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, {which} he cast into the waters, {and} the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes; I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I {am} the LORD that healeth thee.
And they came to Elim, where {were} twelve wells of water, and seventy palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which {is} between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt.
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
And the children of Israel said to them, O that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, {and} when we did eat bread to the full: for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
Then said the LORD to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not.
And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare {that} which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
And Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, At evening, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:
And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: And what {are} we, that ye murmur against us?
And Moses said, {This shall be} when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: And what {are} we? your murmurings {are} not against us, but against the LORD.
And Moses spoke to Aaron, Say to all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.
And it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked towards the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel; Speak to them, saying, At evening ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD your God.
And it came to pass, that at evening the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay around the host.
And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness {there lay} a small round thing, {as} small as the hoar frost on the ground:
And when the children of Israel saw {it}, they said one to another, It {is} manna: for they knew not what it {was}. And Moses said to them, This {is} the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
This {is} the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating: an omer for every man {according to} the number of your persons, take ye every man for {them} who {are} in his tents.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
And when they measured {it} with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack: they gathered every man according to his eating.
And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.
Notwithstanding, they hearkened not to Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and became offensive; and Moses was wroth with them.
And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun became hot, it melted.
And it came to pass, {that} on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one {man}: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.
And he said to them, This {is that} which the LORD hath said, To-morrow {is} the rest of the holy sabbath to the LORD: bake {that} which ye will bake {to-day}, and boil that ye will boil; and that which remaineth over, lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses ordered: and it did not putrefy, neither was there any worm therein.
And Moses said, Eat that to-day; for to-day {is} a sabbath to the LORD; to-day ye will not find it in the field.
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, {which is} the sabbath, in it there will be none.
And it came to pass, {that some} of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, and they found none.
And the LORD said to Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days: abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
So the people rested on the seventh day.
And the house of Israel called its name Manna: and it {was} like coriander-seed, white; and the taste of it {was} like wafers {made} with honey.
And Moses said, This {is} the thing which the LORD commanded, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
And Moses said to Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited: they ate manna, until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan.
Now an omer {is} the tenth {part} of an ephah.
And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and encamped in Rephidim: and {there was} no water for the people to drink.
Wherefore the people contended with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide you with me? why do ye tempt the LORD?
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Why {is} this {that} thou hast brought us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, What shall I do to this people? they are almost ready to stone me.
And the LORD said to Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel: and thy rod, with which thou smotest the river, take in thy hand, and go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there on the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur, went up to the top of the hill.
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses's hands {were} heavy; and they took a stone, and put {it} under him, and he sat upon it: and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
And the LORD said to Moses, Write this {for} a memorial in a book, and rehearse {it} in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAH-nissi:
For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn {that} the LORD {will have} war with Amalek from generation to generation.
When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses's father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, {and} that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt:
Then Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took Zipporah Moses's wife, after he had sent her back,
And her two sons; of which the name of the one {was} Gershom; (for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:)
And the name of the other {was} Eliezer; (for the God of my father, {said he}, {was} my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:)
And Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
And he said to Moses, I thy father-in-law Jethro have come to thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of {their} welfare: and they came into the tent.
And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, {and} all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and {how} the LORD delivered them.
And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
And Jethro said, Blessed {be} the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
Now I know that the LORD {is} greater than all gods: for in the thing in which they dealt proudly, {he was} above them.
And Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses's father-in-law before God.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning to the evening.
And when Moses's father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What {is} this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning to evening?
And Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to inquire of God:
When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between one and another, and I make {them} know the statutes of God, and his laws.
And Moses's father-in-law said to him, The thing that thou doest {is} not good.
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that {is} with thee: for this thing {is} too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
Hearken now to my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people toward God, that thou mayest bring the causes to God:
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.
Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place {such} over them {to be} rulers of thousands, {and} rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, {that} every great matter they shall bring to thee, but every small matter they shall judge: So shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear {the burden} with thee.
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee {so}, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
In the third month, when the children of Israel had gone forth from the land of Egypt, the same day they came {into} the wilderness of Sinai.
For they had departed from Rephidim, and had come {to} the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount.
And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and {how} I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself.
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth {is} mine:
And ye shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These {are} the words which thou shalt speak to the children of Israel.
And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people to the LORD.
And the LORD said to Moses, Lo, I come to thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
And the LORD said to Moses, Go to the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
And be ready against the third day: for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
And thou shalt set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, {that ye} go {not} up upon the mount, or touch the border of it: whoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:
There shall not a hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through: whether {it be} beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
And Moses went down from the mount to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
And he said to the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at {your} wives.
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that {were} in the camp trembled.
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
And mount Sinai was altogether in a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke of it ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount trembled greatly.
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
And the LORD said to Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
And let the priests also who come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
And Moses said to the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
And the LORD said to him, Away, go down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: But let not the priests and the people break through, to come up to the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.
So Moses went down to the people, and spoke to them.
And God spoke all these words, saying,
I {am} the LORD thy God, who have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make to thee any graven image, or any likeness {of any thing} that {is} in heaven above, or that {is} in the earth beneath, or that {is} in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God {am} a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth {generation} of them that hate me;
And showing mercy to thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day {is} the sabbath of the LORD thy God: {in it} thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that {is} within thy gates:
For {in} six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that {is} in them, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath-day, and hallowed it.
Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that {is} thy neighbor's.
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw {it}, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said to Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
And Moses said to the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God {was}.
And the LORD said to Moses, Thus thou shalt say to the children of Israel; Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make to you gods of gold.
An altar of earth thou shalt make to me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thy oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come to thee, and I will bless thee.
And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou {shalt} lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Neither shalt thou go up by steps to my altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
Now these {are} the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
If thou shalt buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall depart free for nothing.
If he came in by himself, he shall depart by himself: if he was married, then his wife shall depart with him.
If his master hath given him a wife, and she hath borne him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall depart by himself.
And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not depart free:
Then his master shall bring him to the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or to the door-post: and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.
And if a man shall sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not depart as the men-servants do.
If she shall not please her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her to a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
And if he hath betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.
If he shall take him another {wife}; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not diminish.
And if he shall not perform these three to her, then shall she depart free without money.
He that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall be surely put to death.
And if a man shall not lie in wait, but God shall deliver {him} into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
But if a man shall come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from my altar, that he may die.
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he shall be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
And if men contend together, and one shall smite another with a stone, or with {his} fist, and he shall not die, but keep {his} bed:
If he shall rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote {him} be quit: only he shall pay {for} the loss of his time, and shall cause {him} to be thoroughly healed.
And if a man shall smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he shall die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
Notwithstanding, if he shall continue a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he {is} his money.
If men shall contend, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit shall depart {from her}, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges {determine}.
And if {any} mischief shall follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
And if a man shall smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it shall perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.
And if he shall smite out his man-servant's tooth, or his maid-servant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.
If an ox shall gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox {shall be} quit.
But if the ox was accustomed to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not restrained him, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
If there shall be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatever is laid upon him.
Whether he hath gored a son, or hath gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done to him.
If the ox shall push a man-servant, or maid-servant; he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass shall fall into it;
The owner of the pit shall make compensation, {and} give money to the owner of them; and the dead {beast} shall be his.
And if one man's ox shall hurt another's that he shall die, then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it, and the dead {ox} also they shall divide.
Or if it shall be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not restrained him; he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead shall be his own.
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
If a thief shall be found breaking through, and be smitten that he die, {there shall} no blood {be shed} for him.
If the sun shall have risen upon him, {there shall be} blood {shed} for him: {for} he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
If the theft shall be certainly found in his hand alive, whether an ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field: of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard shall he make restitution.
If fire shall break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field shall be consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
If a man shall deliver to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief shall be found, let him pay double.
If the thief shall not be found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges, {to see} whether he hath put his hand to his neighbor's goods.
For all manner of trespass, {whether it be} for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, {or} for any manner of lost thing which {another} challengeth to be his: the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; {and} he whom the judges shall condemn, shall pay double to his neighbor.
If a man shall deliver to his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast to keep; and it shall die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing {it}:
{Then} shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept of it, and he shall not make restitution.
And if it shall be stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.
If it shall be torn in pieces; {then} let him bring it {for} witness, {and} he shall not make good that which was torn.
And if a man shall borrow {aught} of his neighbor, and it shall be hurt, or die, the owner of it {being} not with it, he shall surely make {it} good.
{But} if the owner of it shall {be} with it, he shall not make {it} good: if it {be} a hired {thing}, it came for his hire.
And if a man shall entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
If her father shall utterly refuse to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dower of virgins.
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
He that sacrificeth to {any} god, save to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
If thou shalt afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry:
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
If thou shalt lend money to {any of} my people {that is} poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
If thou shalt at all take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it to him by the setting of the sun.
For that {is} his only covering, it {is} his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth to me, that I will hear; for I {am} gracious.
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Thou shalt not delay {to offer} the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the first-born of thy sons shalt thou give to me.
Likewise shalt thou do with thy oxen, {and} with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it to me.
And ye shall be holy men to me: neither shall ye eat {any} flesh {that is} torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to {do} evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest {judgment}:
Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
If thou shalt meet thy enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
If thou shalt see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
But the seventh {year} thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave, the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, {and} with thy olive-yard.
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thy ox and thy ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
And in all {things} that I have said to you be circumspect: and make no mention of the names of other gods, neither let it be heard from thy mouth.
Three times thou shalt keep a feast to me in the year.
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
And the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of in-gathering, {which} is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field.
Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God.
Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.
The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name {is} in him.
But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and an adversary to thy adversaries.
For my Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in to the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, {and} the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off.
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he will bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: I will complete the number of thy days.
I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thy enemies turn their backs to thee.
And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before thee.
I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land should become desolate, and the beast of the field should multiply against thee.
By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou shalt be increased and inherit the land.
And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee to sin against me: for if thou shalt serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to thee.
And he said to Moses, Come up to the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.
And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we perform.
And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt-offerings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen to the LORD.
And Moses took half of the blood, and put {it} in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled {it} on the people, and said, Behold, the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
And they saw the God of Israel: and {there was} under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire-stone, and as it were the body of heaven in {its} clearness.
And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and ate and drank.
And the LORD said to Moses, Come up to me on the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayst teach them.
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up upon the mount of God.
And he said to the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again to you: and behold, Aaron and Hur {are} with you: if any man hath any matters to do, let him come to them.
And Moses went up upon the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called to Moses from the midst of the cloud.
And the sight of the glory of the LORD {was} like devouring fire on the top of the mount, in the eyes of the children of Israel.
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and ascended the mount: and Moses was on the mount forty days and forty nights.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
And this {is} the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver and brass,
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' {hair}.
And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood.
Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breast-plate.
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
According to all that I show thee {after} the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all its instruments, even so shall ye make {it}.
And they shall make an ark {of} shittim wood: two cubits and a half {shall be} its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its hight.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold around it.
And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put {them} in its four corners; and two rings {shall be} in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
And thou shalt make staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
And thou shalt put the staffs into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
The staffs shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
And thou shalt make a mercy-seat {of} pure gold: two cubits and a half {shall be} its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth.
And thou shalt make two cherubim {of} gold, {of} beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy-seat.
And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: {even} of the mercy-seat shall ye make the cherubim on its two ends.
And the cherubim shall stretch forth {their} wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, and their faces {shall look} one to another; towards the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.
And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which {are} upon the ark of the testimony, of all {things} which I will give thee in commandment to the children of Israel.
Thou shalt also make a table {of} shittim wood: its length shall be two cubits, and its breadth a cubit, and its hight a cubit and a half.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make to it a crown of gold around it.
And thou shalt make to it a border of an hand-breadth around it, and thou shalt make a golden crown to its border around it.
And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that {are} on its four feet.
Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staffs to bear the table.
And thou shalt make the staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
And thou shalt make its dishes, and its spoons, and its covers, and its bowls, to cover it with: {of} pure gold shalt thou make them.
And thou shalt set upon the table show-bread before me always.
And thou shalt make a candlestick {of} pure gold: {of} beaten work shall the candlestick be made: its shaft, and its branches, its bowls, its knobs, and its flowers, shall be of the same.
And six branches shall extend from the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick from the one side, and three branches of the candlestick from the other side:
Three bowls made like to almonds, {with} a knob and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, {with} a knob and a flower: so in the six branches that project from the candlestick.
And in the candlesticks {shall be} four bowls made like to almonds, {with} their knobs and their flowers.
And {there shall be} a knob under two branches of the same, and a knob under two branches of the same, and a knob under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that project from the candlestick.
Their knobs and their branches shall be of the same: all of it {shall be} one beaten work {of} pure gold.
And thou shalt make its seven lamps: and they shall light its lamps, that they may give light over against it.
And its tongs, and its snuff-dishes, {shall be of} pure gold.
{Of} a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
And look that thou make {them} after their pattern, which was shown thee on the mount.
Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle {with} ten curtains {of} fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: {with} cherubim of curious work shalt thou make them.
The length of one curtain {shall be} eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.
The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and {other} five curtains {shall be} coupled one to another.
And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of {another} curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that {is} in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another.
And thou shalt make fifty buttons of gold, and couple the curtains together with the buttons: and it shall be one tabernacle.
And thou shalt make curtains {of} goats' {hair} to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
The length of one curtain {shall be} thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains {shall be all} of one measure.
And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the front of the tabernacle.
And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain {that is} outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
And thou shalt make fifty buttons of brass, and put the buttons into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
And thou shalt make a covering for the tent, {of} rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above {of} badgers' skins.
And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle {of} shittim wood standing up.
Ten cubits {shall be} the length of a board, and a cubit and a half {shall be} the breadth of one board.
Two tenons {shall there be} in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.
And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side {there shall be} twenty boards:
And their forty sockets {of} silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.
And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it to one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets {of} silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
And thou shalt make bars {of} shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward.
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.
And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings {of} gold {for} places for the bars; and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.
And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shown thee on the mount.
And thou shalt make a vail {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of curious work: with cherubim shall it be made.
And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim {wood} overlaid with gold: their hooks {shall be of} gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
And thou shalt hang the vail under the buttons, that thou mayst bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide to you between the holy {place} and the most holy.
And thou shalt put the mercy-seat upon the ark of the testimony, in the most holy {place}.
And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle towards the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
And thou shalt make a hanging for the door of the tent, {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needle work.
And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars {of} shittim {wood}, and overlay them with gold, {and} their hooks {shall be of} gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.
And thou shalt make an altar {of} shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and its hight {shall be} three cubits.
And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: its horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
And thou shalt make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its flesh-hooks, and its fire-pans: all its vessels thou shalt make {of} brass.
And thou shalt make for it a grate of net-work of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in its four corners.
And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.
And thou shalt make staffs for the altar, staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.
And the staffs shall be put into the rings, and the staffs shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shown thee on the mount, so shall they make {it}.
And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward {there shall be} hangings for the court {of} fine twined linen of a hundred cubits long for one side:
And its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets {shall be of} brass: the hooks of the pillars and their fillets {shall be of} silver.
And likewise for the north side in length {there shall be} hangings of a hundred {cubits} long, and its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets {of} brass: the hooks of the pillars and their fillets {of} silver.
And {for} the breadth of the court on the west side {shall be} hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward {shall be} fifty cubits.
The hangings of one side {of the gate shall be} fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
And on the other side {shall be} hangings, fifteen {cubits}: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
And for the gate of the court {shall be} a hanging of twenty cubits, {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needle-work: {and} their pillars {shall be} four, and their sockets four.
All the pillars around the court {shall be} filleted with silver: their hooks {shall be of} silver, and their sockets {of} brass.
The length of the court {shall be} a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the hight five cubits {of} fine twined linen, and their sockets {of} brass.
All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, {shall be of} brass.
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring the pure olive-oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which {is} before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: {It shall be} a statute for ever to their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.
And take thou to thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, {even} Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty.
And thou shalt speak to all {that are} wise in heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.
And these {are} the garments which they shall make; a breast-plate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a miter, and a girdle; and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.
And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
And they shall make the ephod {of} gold, {of} blue, and {of} purple, {of} scarlet, and fine twined linen, with curious work.
It shall have the two shoulder-pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and {so} it shall be joined together.
And the curious girdle of the ephod, which {is} upon it, shall be of the same, according to its work; {even of} gold, {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Six of their names on one stone, and {the} six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
With the work of an engraver in stone, {like} the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod {for} stones of memorial to the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
And thou shalt make ouches {of} gold;
And two chains {of} pure gold at the ends; {of} wreathed work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathed chains to the ouches.
And thou shalt make the breast-plate of judgment with curious work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; {of} gold, {of} blue, and {of} purple, and {of} scarlet, and {of} fine twined linen shalt thou make it.
Foursquare it shall be, {being} doubled; a span {shall be} its length, and a span {shall be} its breadth.
And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, {even} four rows of stones: {the first} row {shall be} a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: {this shall be} the first row.
And the second row {shall be} an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, {like} the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate chains at the ends {of} wreathed work {of} pure gold.
And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breast-plate.
And thou shalt put the two wreathed {chains} of gold in the two rings {which are} on the ends of the breast-plate.
And {the other} two ends of the two wreathed {chains} thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put {them} on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it.
And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breast-plate in its border, which {is} in the side of the ephod inward.
And two {other} rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, towards the forepart of it, over against the {other} coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
And they shall bind the breast-plate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that {it} may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breast-plate be not loosed from the ephod.
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart, when he entereth into the holy {place}, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
And thou shalt put in the breast-plate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all {of} blue.
And there shall be a hole in the top of it, in the midst of it: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
And {beneath}, upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates {of} blue, and {of} purple, and {of} scarlet, round about its hem; and bells of gold between them around it.
A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe around it.
And it shall be upon Aaron, to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in to the holy {place} before the LORD, and when he cometh out; that he may not die.
And thou shalt make a plate {of} pure gold, and engrave upon it, {like} the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the miter; upon the front of the miter it shall be.
And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the miter {of} fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle {of} needle-work.
And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and on his sons with him: and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.
And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness: from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach:
And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they enter in to the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy {place}; that they bear not iniquity, and die. {It shall be} a statute for ever to him, and to his seed after him.
And this {is} the thing that thou shalt do to them to hallow them, to minister to me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,
And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil; {of} wheat flour shalt thou make them.
And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.
And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron, the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breast-plate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
And thou shalt put the miter upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the miter.
Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour {it} upon his head, and anoint him.
And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.
And thou shalt gird them with girdles (Aaron and his sons) and put the bonnets on them; and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.
And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, {by} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul {that is} above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} upon them, and burn {them} upon the altar.
But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it {is} a sin-offering.
Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle {it} around upon the altar.
And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put {them} to his pieces, and to his head.
And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it {is} a burnt-offering to the LORD: it {is} a sweet savor, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put {it} upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
And thou shalt take of the blood that {is} upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle {it} upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons garments with him.
Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul {above} the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} upon them, and the right shoulder; for it {is} a ram of consecration:
And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread, that {is} before the LORD.
And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them {for} a wave-offering before the LORD.
And thou shalt receive them from their hands, and burn {them} upon the altar for a burnt-offering, for a sweet savor before the LORD: it {is} an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it {for} a wave-offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.
And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave-offering, and the shoulder of the heave-offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up of the ram of the consecration, {even} of {that} which {is} for Aaron, and of {that} which is for his sons:
And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever, from the children of Israel: for it {is} a heave-offering: and it shall be a heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace-offerings, {even} their heave-offering to the LORD.
And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.
{And} that son, that is priest in his stead, shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy {place}.
And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.
And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that {is} in the basket, {by} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And they shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate {and} to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat {of them}, because they {are} holy.
And if aught of the flesh of the consecration, or of the bread, shall remain till the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it {is} holy.
And thus shalt thou do to Aaron, and to his sons, according to all {things} which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them.
And thou shalt offer every day a bullock {for} a sin-offering for atonement; and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.
Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
Now this {is that} which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year, day by day continually.
The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at evening.
And with the one lamb a tenth-portion of flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of a hin of wine {for} a drink-offering.
And the other lamb thou shalt offer at evening, and shalt do thereto according to the meat-offering of the morning, and according to the drink-offering thereof, for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
{This shall be} a continual burnt-offering throughout your generations {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you to speak there to thee.
And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and {the tabernacle} shall be sanctified by my glory.
And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
And they shall know that I {am} the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I {am} the LORD their God.
And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: {of} shittim wood shalt thou make it.
A cubit {shall be} its length, and a cubit its breadth; foursquare shall it be; and two cubits {shall be} its hight: its horns {shall be} of the same.
And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, its top, and its sides round about, and its horns; and thou shalt make to it a crown of gold round about.
And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by its two corners, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make {it}; and they shall be for places for the staffs to bear it with.
And thou shalt make the staffs of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
And thou shalt put it before the vail that {is} by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that {is} over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
And Aaron shall burn upon it sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense upon it; a perpetual incense before the LORD, throughout your generations.
Ye shall offer no strange incense upon it, nor burnt-sacrifice, nor meat-offering; neither shall ye pour drink-offering upon it.
And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year, with the blood of the sin-offering of atonements: once in a year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it {is} most holy to the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to the LORD, when thou numberest them: that there may be no plague among them, when {thou} numberest them.
This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel {is} twenty gerahs:) a half shekel {shall be} the offering of the LORD.
Every one that passeth among them that are numbered from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering to the LORD.
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when {they} give an offering to the LORD to make an atonement for your souls.
And thou shalt take the atonement-money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial to the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Thou shalt also make a laver {of} brass, and its foot {also of} brass, to wash {in} : {and} thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
For Aaron and their sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not: or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire to the LORD.
So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, {even} to him and to his seed throughout their generations.
Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take thou also to thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred {shekels} , and of sweet cinnamon half as much, {even} two hundred and fifty {shekels} , and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty {shekels} ,
And of cassia five hundred {shekels} , after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive-oil a hin:
And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil.
And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation with it, and the ark of the testimony,
And the table and all its vessels, and the candlestick and its vessels, and the altar of incense,
And the altar of burnt-offering with all its vessels, and the laver and its foot.
And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatever toucheth them shall be holy.
And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that {they} may minister to me in the priest's office.
And thou shalt speak to the children of Israel, saying, This shall be a holy anointing oil to me, throughout your generations.
Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make {any other} like it, after the composition of it: it {is} holy, {and} it shall be holy to you.
Whoever compoundeth {any} like it, or whoever putteth {any} of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
And the LORD said to Moses, Take to thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; {these} sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like {weight} :
And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure {and} holy:
And thou shalt beat {some} of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be to you most holy:
And {as for} the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to its composition: it shall be to thee holy for the LORD.
Whoever shall make the like to that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
To devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in cutting of stones to set {them} , and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom; that they may make all that I have commanded thee:
The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that {is} upon it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
And the table and its furniture, and the pure candlestick with all its furniture, and the altar of incense,
And the altar of burnt-offering, with all its furniture, and the laver and its foot,
And the clothes of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy {place} : according to all that I have commanded thee, shall they do.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak thou also to the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it {is} a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that {ye} may know that I {am} the LORD that doth sanctify you.
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore: for it {is} holy to you. Every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death: for whoever doeth {any} work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Six days may work be done, but in the seventh {is} the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whoever doeth {any} work in the sabbath-day, he shall surely be put to death.
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, {for} a perpetual covenant.
{It is} a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for {in} six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.
And to Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, he gave two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people assembled themselves to Aaron, and said to him, Arise, make us gods which shall go before us: for {as for} this Moses, the man that brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
And Aaron said to them, Break off the golden ear-rings which {are} in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring {them} to me.
And all the people broke off the golden ear-rings which {were} in their ears, and brought {them} to Aaron.
And he received {them} at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.
And when Aaron saw {it} , he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To-morrow {is} a feast to the LORD.
And they rose early on the morrow, and offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings: and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
And the LORD said to Moses, Go, go down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted {themselves} :
They have turned aside quickly from the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt.
And the LORD said to Moses, I have seen this people, and behold it {is} a stiff-necked people:
Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth from the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand?
Why should the Egyptians speak and say, For evil did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel thy servants, to whom thou sworest by thine own self, and saidst to them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give to your seed, and they shall inherit {it} for ever.
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do to his people.
And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony {were} in his hand: the tables {were} written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other {were} they written.
And the tables {were} the work of God, and the writing {was} the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, {There is} a noise of war in the camp.
And he said, {It is} not the voice of {them that} shout for mastery, neither {is it} the voice of {them that} cry for being overcome: {but} the noise of {them that} sing do I hear.
And it came to pass as soon as he came nigh to the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses's anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables from his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.
And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt {it} in the fire, and ground {it} to powder, and strewed {it} upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink {of it} .
And Moses said to Aaron, What did this people to thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people that they {are set} on mischief.
For they said to me, Make us gods which shall go before us: for {as for} this Moses, the man that brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
And I said to them, Whoever hath any gold, let them break {it} off: So they gave {it} to me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
And when Moses saw that the people {were} naked (for Aaron had made them naked to {their} shame, among their enemies:)
Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who {is} on the LORD'S side? {let him come} to me. And all the sons of Levi assembled themselves to him.
And he said to them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, {and} go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.
And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to-day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said to the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up to the LORD; it may be I shall make an atonement for your sin.
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin: and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
And the LORD said to Moses, Whoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Therefore now go, lead the people to {the place} of which I have spoken to thee: Behold, my angel shall go before thee: Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.
And the LORD afflicted the people, because they made the calf which Aaron made.
And the LORD said to Moses, Depart {and} go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast conducted from the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, to thy seed will I give it:
And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
To a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou {art} a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way.
And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man put on him his ornaments.
For the LORD had said to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, Ye {are} a stiff-necked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do to thee.
And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, by the mount Horeb.
And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp far from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, {that} every one who sought the LORD, went out to the tabernacle of the congregation, which {was} without the camp.
And it came to pass when Moses went out to the tabernacle, {that} all the people rose, and stood every man at his tent-door, and looked after Moses, until he had gone into the tabernacle.
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood {at} the door of the tabernacle, and {the LORD} talked with Moses.
And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand {at} the tabernacle door: and all the people rose and worshiped, every man {in} his tent-door.
And the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to his friend. And he turned again into the camp; but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
And Moses said to the LORD, See, thou sayest to me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation {is} thy people.
And he said, My presence shall attend {thee} , and I will give thee rest.
And he said to him, If thy presence shall not attend me, conduct us not hence.
For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? {Is it} not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that {are} upon the face of the earth.
And the LORD said to Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
And the LORD said, Behold, {there is} a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock: and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
And I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
And the LORD said to Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like the first; and I will write upon {these} tables the words that were in the first tables which thou didst break.
And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me on the top of the mount.
And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount: neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.
And he hewed two tables of stone, like the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up to mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear {the guilty} ; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, to the third and to the fourth {generation} .
And Moses made haste, and bowed his head towards the earth, and worshiped.
And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O LORD, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us (for it {is} a stiff-necked people) and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thy inheritance.
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do wonders, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou {art} , shall see the work of the LORD: for it {is} a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
Observe thou that which I command thee this day: Behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name {is} Jealous, {is} a jealous God:
Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go astray after their gods, and do sacrifice to their gods, and {one} call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
And thou take of their daughters to thy sons, and their daughters go astray after their gods, and make thy sons go astray after their gods.
Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.
The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out of from Egypt.
Every first-born {is} mine: and every firstling among thy cattle, {whether} ox or sheep, {that is male} .
But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou shalt not redeem him, then shalt thou break his neck. All the first-born of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in time of plowing and in harvest thou shalt rest.
And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the first-fruits of wheat-harvest, and the feast of in-gathering at the year's end.
Thrice in the year shall all your male children appear before the LORD GOD, the God of Israel.
For I will drive out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God, thrice in the year.
Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven, neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left until the morning.
The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring to the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
And the LORD said to Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee, and with Israel.
And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water: and he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
And it came to pass when Moses came down from mount Sinai (with the two tables of testimony in Moses's hand, when he came down from the mount) that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone, while he talked with him.
And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them.
And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.
And {till} Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out and spoke to the children of Israel {that} which he was commanded.
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses's face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
And Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, These {are} the words which the LORD hath commanded, that {ye} should do them.
Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whoever doth work therein shall be put to death.
Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath-day.
And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This {is} the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,
Take ye from among you an offering to the LORD: whoever {is} of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' {hair} ,
And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breast-plate.
And every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded;
The tabernacle, its tent, and its covering, its buttons, and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets,
The ark, and its staffs, {with} the mercy-seat, and the vail of the covering,
The table, and its staffs, and all its vessels, and the show-bread,
The candlestick also for the light, and its furniture, and its lamps, with the oil for the light,
And the incense-altar, and its staffs, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entrance of the tabernacle,
The altar of burnt-offering, with its brazen grate, its staffs, and all its vessels, the laver and its foot,
The hangings of the court, its pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court,
The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,
The clothes of service, to do service in the holy {place} , the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.
And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
And they came, every one whose heart excited him, and every one whom his spirit made willing, {and} they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, {and} brought bracelets, and ear-rings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold; and every man that offered, {offered} an offering of gold to the LORD.
And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' {hair} , and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought {them} .
Every one that offered an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD'S offering: and every man with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought {it} .
And all the women that were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, {both} of blue, and of purple, {and} of scarlet, and of fine linen.
And all the women whose heart moved them in wisdom spun goats' {hair} .
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breast-plate;
And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a willing offering to the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
And Moses said to the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in the cutting of stones, to set {them} , and in carving of wood, to make any manner of curious work.
And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, {both} he and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the skillful workmen, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, {even} of them that do any work, and of those that devise curious work.
Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding, to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, {even} every one whose heart excited him to come to the work to do it:
And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it. And they brought yet to him free-offerings every morning.
And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made.
And they spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
And every wise-hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains {of} fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: he made them {with} cherubim of curious work.
The length of one curtain {was} twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains {were} all of one size.
And he coupled the five curtains one to another: and {the other} five curtains he coupled one to another.
And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the extremity of {another} curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Fifty loops he made in one curtain, and fifty loops he made in the edge of the curtain which {was} in the coupling of the second: the loops held one {curtain} to another.
And he made fifty buttons of gold, and coupled the curtains one to another with the buttons. So it became one tabernacle.
And he made curtains {of} goats' {hair} for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.
The length of one curtain {was} thirty cubits, and four cubits {was} the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains {were} of one size.
And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
And he made fifty loops upon the outermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
And he made fifty buttons {of} brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
And he made a covering for the tent {of} rams' skins dyed red, and a covering {of} badgers' skins above {that} .
And he made boards for the tabernacle {of} shittim wood, standing up.
The length of a board {was} ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half.
One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another; thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward:
And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.
And for the other side of the tabernacle {which is} towards the north corner, he made twenty boards.
And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards.
And two boards he made for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners.
And there were eight boards; and their sockets {were} sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets.
And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward.
And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.
And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings {of} gold {to be} places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
And he made a vail {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: {with} cherubim he made it of curious work.
And he made to it four pillars {of} shittim {wood} , and overlaid them with gold: their hooks {were of} gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
And he made a hanging for the tabernacle-door {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needle-work;
And the five pillars of it, with their hooks: and he overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets {were of} brass.
And Bezaleel made the ark {of} shittim wood: two cubits and a half {was} the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the hight of it:
And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
And he cast for it four rings of gold, {to be set} by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.
And he made staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
And he put the staffs into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
And he made the mercy-seat {of} pure gold: two cubits and a half {was} the length of it, and one cubit and a half the breadth of it.
And he made two cherubim {of} gold, beaten out of one piece he made them, on the two ends of the mercy-seat;
One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the {other} end on that side: out of the mercy-seat made he the cherubim on the two ends of it.
And the cherubim spread out {their} wings on high, {and} covered with their wings over the mercy-seat, with their faces one to another; {even} towards the mercy-seat were the faces of the cherubim.
And he made the table {of} shittim wood: two cubits {was} its length, and a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its hight:
And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made to it a crown of gold round about.
Also he made to it a border of a hand-breadth round about; and made a crown of gold for its border round about.
And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that {were} in its four feet.
Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staffs, to bear the table.
And he made the staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.
And he made the vessels which {were} upon the table, its dishes, and its spoons, and its bowls, and its covers to cover with, {of} pure gold.
And he made the candlestick of pure gold; {of} beaten work he made the candlestick; its shaft, and its branch, its bowls, its knobs, and its flowers were of the same:
And six branches proceeding from its sides; three branches of the candlestick from the one side of it, and three branches of the candlestick from the other side of it.
Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knob and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knob and a flower: so throughout the six branches proceeding from the candlestick.
And in the candlestick {were} four bowls made like almonds, its knobs, and its flowers:
And a knob under two branches of the same, and a knob under two branches of the same, and a knob under two branches of the same, according to the six branches proceeding from it.
Their knobs and their branches were of the same: all of it {was} one beaten work {of} pure gold.
And he made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, {of} pure gold.
{Of} a talent of pure gold he made it, and all its vessels.
And he made the incense-altar {of} shittim wood: the length of it {was} a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; {it was} foursquare; and two cubits {was} the hight of it; the horns of it were of the same.
And he overlaid it with pure gold, {both} the top of it, and its sides round about, and its horns: also he made to it a crown of gold round about.
And he made two rings of gold for it under its crown, by the two corners of it, upon its two sides, to be places for the staffs to bear it with.
And he made the staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.
And he made the altar of burnt-offering {of} shittim wood: five cubits {was} the length of it, and five cubits the breadth of it; {it was} foursquare; and its hight was three cubits.
And he made its horns on the four corners of it; its horns were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.
And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, {and} the flesh-hooks, and the fire-pans: all the vessels of it he made {of} brass.
And he made for the altar a brazen grate of net-work under the compass of it beneath to the midst of it.
And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, {to be} places for the staffs.
And he made the staffs {of} shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.
And he put the staffs into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it with; he made the altar hollow with boards.
And he made the laver {of} brass, and the foot of it {of} brass, of the looking-glasses of {the women} assembling, who assembled {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court {were of} fine twined linen, a hundred cubits:
Their pillars {were} twenty, and their brazen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, {were of} silver.
And for the north side, {the hangings were} a hundred cubits, their pillars {were} twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty: the hooks of the pillars, and their filets, {of} silver.
And for the west side {were} hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, {of} silver.
And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.
The hangings of the one side {of the gate were} fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
And for the other side of the court-gate, on this hand and that hand, {were} hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
All the hangings of the court round about {were} of fine twined linen.
And the sockets for the pillars {were of} brass; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, {of} silver; and the overlaying of their capitals {of} silver; and all the pillars of the court {were} filleted with silver.
And the hanging for the gate of the court {was} needle-work, {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits {was} the length, and the hight in the breadth {was} five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
And their pillars {were} four, and their sockets {of} brass four; their hooks {of} silver, and the overlaying of their capitals and their fillets {of} silver.
And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, {were of} brass.
This is the sum of the tabernacle, {even} of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, {for} the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.
And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.
And with him {was} Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.
All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy {place} , even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation {was} a hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and seventy five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
A bekah for every man, {that is} , half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty {men} .
And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; a hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.
And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five {shekels} he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their capitals, and filleted them.
And the brass of the offering {was} seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.
And with this he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brazen altar, and the brazen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,
And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.
And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made clothes of service, to do service in the holy {place} , and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he made the ephod {of} gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
And they beat the gold into thin plates, and cut {it into} wires, to work {it} in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, {with} curious work.
They made shoulder-pieces for it, to couple {it} together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
And the curious girdle of his ephod, that {was} upon it, {was} of the same, according to the work thereof; {of} gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, {that they should be} stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he made the breast-plate {of} curious work, like the work of the ephod; {of} gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
It was foursquare; they made the breast-plate double: a span {was} the length of it, and a span the breadth of it, {being} doubled.
And they set in it four rows of stones: {the first} row {was} a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this {was} the first row.
And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: {they were} inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
And the stones {were} according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, {like} the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
And they made upon the breast-plate chains at the ends, {of} wreathed work {of} pure gold.
And they made two ouches {of} gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings in the two ends of the breast-plate.
And they put the two wreathed chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breast-plate.
And the two ends of the two wreathed chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, before it.
And they made two rings of gold, and put {them} on the two ends of the breast-plate, upon the border of it, which {was} on the side of the ephod inward.
And they made two {other} golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, towards the forepart of it, over against the {other} coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod:
And they bound the breast-plate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he made the robe of the ephod {of} woven work, all {of} blue.
And {there was} a hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, {with} a band around the hole, that it should not rend.
And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates {of} blue, and purple, and scarlet, {and} twined {linen} .
And they made bells {of} pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, around between the pomegranates;
A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe to minister {in} ; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And they made coats {of} fine linen, {of} woven work, for Aaron and for his sons,
And a miter {of} fine linen, and goodly bonnets {of} fine linen, and linen breeches {of} fine twined linen,
And a girdle {of} fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, {of} needle-work; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And they made the plate of the holy crown {of} pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, {like to} the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
And they tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten {it} on high upon the miter; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
And they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent, and all its furniture, its buttons, its boards, its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets,
And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
The ark of the testimony, and its staffs, and the mercy-seat,
The table, {and} all its vessels, and the show-bread,
The pure candlestick, {with} its lamps, {even with} the lamps to be set in order, and all its vessels, and the oil for light,
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle-door,
The brazen altar, and its grate of brass, its staffs, and all its vessels, the laver and its foot,
The hangings of the court, its pillars, and its sockets, and the hanging for the court-gate, its cords, and its pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
The clothes of service to do service in the holy {place} , and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
And Moses looked upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
And thou shalt put in it the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light its lamps.
And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
And thou shalt set the altar of the, burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water in it.
And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court-gate.
And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that {is} in it, and shalt hallow it, and all its vessels: and it shall be holy.
And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
And thou shalt anoint the laver and its foot, and sanctify it.
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister to me in the priest's office.
And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister to me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Thus did Moses; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
And it came to pass in the first month, in the second year, on the first {day} of the month, {that} the tabernacle was reared up.
And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and reared up its pillars.
And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staffs on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
And he lighted the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation, before the vail:
And he burnt sweet incense on it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he set up the hanging {at} the door of the tabernacle.
And he put the altar of burnt-offering {by} the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt-offering, and the meat-offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash {with} .
And Moses, and Aaron, and his sons, washed their hands and their feet thereat:
When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near to the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court-gate: so Moses finished the work.
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
For the cloud of the LORD {was} upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
And the LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, If any man of you shall bring an offering to the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, {even} of the herd, and of the flock.
If his offering shall {be} a burnt-sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood around upon the altar that {is by} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he shall flay the burnt-offering, and cut it into its pieces,
And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire.
And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that {is} on the fire which {is} upon the altar.
But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, {to be} a burnt-sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And if his offering {be} of the flocks, {namely} , of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt-sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood around upon the altar:
And he shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that {is} on the fire which {is} upon the altar:
But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring {it} all, and burn {it} upon the altar: it {is} a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD shall {be} of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtle doves, or of young pigeons.
And the priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn {it} on the altar: and its blood shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:
And he shall pluck away its crop with its feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
And he shall cleave it with its wings, {but} shall not divide {it} asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that {is} upon the fire: it {is} a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And when any will offer a meat-offering to the LORD, his offering shall be {of} fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense upon it.
And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take out of it his handful of its flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, {to be} an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD:
And the remnant of the meat-offering {shall be} Aaron's and his sons': {it is} a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
And if thou shalt bring an oblation of a meat-offering baked in the oven, {it shall be} unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
And if thy oblation {shall be} a meat-offering {baked} in a pan, it shall be {of} fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil upon it: it {is} a meat-offering.
And if thy oblation {shall be} a meat-offering {baked} in the frying-pan, it shall be made {of} fine flour with oil.
And thou shalt bring the meat-offering that is made of these things to the LORD: and when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar.
And the priest shall take from the meat-offering a memorial of it, and shall burn {it} upon the altar: {it is} an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And that which is left of the meat-offering {shall be} Aaron's and his sons': {it is} a thing most holy, of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
No meat-offering which ye shall bring to the LORD shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.
As for the oblation of the first-fruits, ye shall offer them to the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savor.
And every oblation of thy meat-offering shalt thou season with salt: neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat-offering: with all thy offerings thou shalt offer salt.
And if thou shalt offer a meat-offering of thy first-fruits to the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat-offering of thy first-fruits, green ears of corn dried by the fire, {even} corn beaten out of full ears.
And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense upon it: {it is} a meat-offering.
And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, {part} of its beaten corn, and {part} of its oil, with all its frankincense: {it is} an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And if his oblation {shall be} a sacrifice of peace-offering, if he shall offer {it} of the herd, whether a male or female; he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-offering, an offering made by fire to the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that {is} upon the inwards,
And the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} on them, which {is} by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar, upon the burnt-sacrifice which {is} upon the wood that {is} on the fire: {it is} an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offering to the LORD shall be {of} the flock, male or female; he shall offer it without blemish.
If he shall offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood of it around upon the altar.
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-offering an offering made by fire to the LORD: its fat, {and} the whole rump, that shall he take off hard by the back-bone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that {is} upon the inwards,
And the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} upon them, which {is} by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, that shall he take away.
And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: {it is} the food of the offering made by fire to the LORD.
And if his offering {shall be} a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood upon the altar round about.
And he shall offer of it his offering, {even} an offering made by fire to the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that {is} upon the inwards,
And the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} upon them, which {is} by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, that shall he take away.
And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: {it is} the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savor: all the fat {is} the LORD'S.
{It shall be} a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD {concerning things} which ought not to be done, and shall violate any of them:
If the priest that is anointed shall sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring, for his sin which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish to the LORD for a sin-offering.
And he shall bring the bullock to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.
And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:
And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.
And the priest shall put {some} of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which {is} in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt-offering, which {is at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin-offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that {is} upon the inwards,
And the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} upon them, which {is} by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, that shall he take away,
As it was taken off from the bullock of the sacrifice of peace-offerings: and the priest shall burn them upon the altar of the burnt-offering.
And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,
Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.
And if the whole congregation of Israel shall sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done {somewhat against} any of the commandments of the LORD {concerning things} which should not be done, and are guilty;
When the sin which they have sinned against it is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.
And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock's blood to the tabernacle of the congregation:
And the priest shall dip his finger {in some} of the blood, and sprinkle {it} seven times before the LORD, {even} before the vail.
And he shall put {some} of the blood upon the horns of the altar which {is} before the LORD, that {is} in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt-offering, which {is} at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn {it} upon the altar.
And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin-offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it {is} a sin-offering for the congregation.
When a ruler hath sinned, and done {somewhat} through ignorance {against} any of the commandments of the LORD his God {concerning things} which should not be done, and is guilty;
Or if his sin, in which he hath sinned, shall come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt-offering before the LORD: it {is} a sin-offering.
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt-offering.
And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace-offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.
And if any one of the common people shall sin through ignorance, while he doeth {somewhat against} any of the commandments of the LORD {concerning things} which ought not to be done, and be guilty;
Or if his sin which he hath sinned shall come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering, and slay the sin-offering in the place of the burnt-offering.
And the priest shall take of the blood of it with his finger, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.
And he shall take away all its fat, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor to the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.
And if he shall bring a lamb for a sin-offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering, and slay it for a sin-offering in the place where they kill the burnt-offering.
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering, and shall pour out all the blood of it at the bottom of the altar:
And he shall take away all its fat, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.
And if a soul shall sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and be a witness, whether he hath seen or known {of it} ; if he doth not utter {it} , then he shall bear his iniquity.
Or if a soul shall touch any unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean beast, or a carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creeping animals, and it shall be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
Or if he shall touch the uncleanness of man, whatever uncleanness {it may be} that a man shall be defiled with, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth {of it} , then he shall be guilty.
Or if a soul shall swear, pronouncing with {his} lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever {it may be} , that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth {of it} , then he shall be guilty in one of these.
And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these {things} , that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that {thing} :
And he shall bring his trespass-offering to the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.
And if he shall not be able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass which he hath committed, two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, to the LORD; one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering.
And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer {that} which {is} for the sin-offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide {it} asunder:
And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin-offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it {is} a sin-offering.
And he shall offer the second {for} a burnt-offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him.
But if he shall not be able to bring two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons; then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin-offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put {any} frankincense upon it: for it {is} a sin-offering.
Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, {even} a memorial of it, and burn {it} on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the LORD: it {is} a sin-offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and {the remnant} shall be the priest's, as a meat-offering.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
If a soul shall commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass to the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass-offering:
And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add to it the fifth part, and give it to the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering, and it shall be forgiven him.
And if a soul shall sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he knew {it} not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass-offering to the priest; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and knew {it} not, and it shall be forgiven him.
It {is} a trespass-offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
If a soul shall sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie to his neighbor, in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor;
Or hath found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took by force, or the thing which he obtained by deceit, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add to it the fifth part more, {and} give it to him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass-offering.
And he shall bring his trespass-offering to the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, to the priest:
And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This {is} the law of the burnt-offering: It {is} the burnt-offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt-offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp to a clean place.
And the fire upon the altar shall be burning on it; it shall not be extinguished: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt-offering in order upon it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace-offerings.
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
And this {is} the law of the meat-offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.
And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat-offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which {is} upon the meat-offering, and shall burn {it} upon the altar {for} a sweet savor, {even} the memorial of it, to the LORD.
And the remainder of it shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
It shall not be baked with leaven. I have given it {to them for} their portion of my offerings made by fire; It {is} most holy, as {is} the sin-offering, and as the trespass-offering.
All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. {It shall be} a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
This {is} the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer to the LORD in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat-offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half of it at night.
In a pan it shall be made with oil; {and when it is} baked, thou shalt bring it in: {and} the baked pieces of the meat-offering shalt thou offer {for} a sweet savor to the LORD.
And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: {it is} a statute for ever to the LORD; it shall be wholly burnt.
For every meat-offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, This {is} the law of the sin-offering: In the place where the burnt-offering is killed shall the sin-offering be killed before the LORD: it {is} most holy.
The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Whatever shall touch the flesh of it shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of its blood upon any garment, thou shalt wash that on which it was sprinkled in the holy place.
But the earthen vessel in which it is boiled shall be broken: and if it shall be boiled in a brazen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water.
All the males among the priests shall eat of it: it {is} most holy.
And no sin-offering, of which {any} of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to make reconciliation in the holy {place} , shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.
Likewise this {is} the law of the trespass-offering: it {is} most holy.
In the place where they kill the burnt-offering shall they kill the trespass-offering: and the blood of it shall he sprinkle around upon the altar.
And he shall offer of it all its fat; the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,
And the two kidneys, and the fat that {is} on them, which {is} by the flanks, and the caul {that is} above the liver, with the kidneys, that shall he take away:
And the priest shall burn them upon the altar {for} an offering made by fire to the LORD: it {is} a trespass-offering.
Every male among the priests shall eat of it: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it {is} most holy.
As the sin-offering {is} , so {is} the trespass-offering: {there is} one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement with it shall have {it} .
And the priest that offereth any man's burnt-offering, {even} the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt-offering which he hath offered.
And all the meat-offering that is baked in the oven, and all that is dressed in the frying-pan, and in the pan, shall be the priest's that offereth it.
And every meat-offering mingled with oil, and dry, shall all the sons of Aaron have, one {as much} as another.
And this {is} the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he shall offer to the LORD.
If he shall offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
Besides the cakes, he shall offer {for} his offering, leavened bread, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace-offerings.
And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation {for} a heave-offering to the LORD, {and} it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace-offerings.
And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.
But if the sacrifice of his offering {shall be} a vow or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.
And if {any} of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings shall be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him that offereth it; it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
And the flesh that toucheth any unclean {thing} shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that shall be clean shall eat of it.
But the soul that eateth {of} the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings that {pertain} to the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Moreover, the soul that shall touch any unclean {thing} , {as} the uncleanness of man, or {any} unclean beast, or any abominable unclean {thing} , and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings which {pertain} to the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.
And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used for any other purpose; but ye shall in no wise eat of it.
For whoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, even the soul that eateth {it} shall be cut off from his people.
Moreover, ye shall eat no manner of blood, {whether} of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.
Whatever soul {it may be} that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace-offerings to the LORD, shall bring his oblation to the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings.
His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, that shall he bring, that the breast may be waved {for} a wave-offering before the LORD.
And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
And the right shoulder shall ye give to the priest {for} a heave-offering of the sacrifices of your peace-offerings.
He among the sons' of Aaron that offereth the blood of the peace-offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for {his} part.
For the wave-breast and the heave-shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest, and to his sons, by a statute for ever, from among the children of Israel.
This {is the portion} of the anointing of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day {when} he presented them to minister to the LORD in the priest's office;
Which the LORD commanded to be given to them by the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them, {by} a statute for ever throughout their generations.
This {is} the law of the burnt-offering, of the meat-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the trespass-offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the Peace-offerings;
Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations to the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin-offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;
And assemble thou all the congregation to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses said to the congregation, This {is} the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound {it} to him with it.
And he put the breast-plate upon him: also he put in the breast-plate the Urim and the Thummim.
And he put the miter upon his head; also upon the miter, {even} upon his front, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that {was} in it, and sanctified them.
And he sprinkled part of it upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, both the laver and its foot, to sanctify them.
And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he brought the bullock for the sin-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin-offering.
And he slew {it} ; and Moses took the blood, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
And he took all the fat that {was} upon the inwards, and the caul {above} the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned {it} upon the altar.
But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he brought the ram for the burnt-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he killed {it} ; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.
And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it {was} a burnt-sacrifice for a sweet savor, {and} an offering made by fire to the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he slew {it} ; and Moses took of its blood, and put {it} upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
And he brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that {was} upon the inwards, and the caul {above} the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that {was} before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put {them} on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them {for} a wave-offering before the LORD.
And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt {them} on the altar upon the burnt-offering: they {were} consecrations for a sweet savor: it {is} an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And Moses took the breast, and waved it {for} a wave-offering before the LORD: {for} of the ram of consecration it was Moses's part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which {was} upon the altar, and sprinkled {it} upon Aaron, {and} upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, {and} his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
And Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and there eat it with the bread that {is} in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.
And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation {in} seven days, until the days of your consecration shall be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
As he hath done this day, {so} the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
Therefore shall ye abide {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.
So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
And it came to pass on the eighth day, {that} Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
And he said to Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish, and offer {them} before the LORD.
And to the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin-offering; and a calf and a lamb, {both} of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt-offering;
Also a bullock and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat-offering mingled with oil: for to-day the LORD will appear to you.
And they brought {that} which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD.
And Moses said, This {is} the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear to you.
And Moses said to Aaron, Go to the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.
Aaron therefore went to the altar, and slew the calf of the sin-offering, which {was} for himself.
And the sons of Aaron brought the blood to him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin-offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.
And he slew the burnt-offering; and Aaron's sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled around upon the altar.
And they presented the burnt-offering to him, with the pieces of it, and the head: and he burnt {them} upon the altar.
And he washed the inwards and the legs, and burnt {them} upon the burnt-offering on the altar.
And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which {was} the sin-offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.
And he brought the burnt-offering, and offered it according to the manner.
And he brought the meat-offering, and took a handful of it, and burnt {it} upon the altar, beside the burnt-sacrifice of the morning.
He slew also the bullock and the ram {for} a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which {was} for the people: and Aaron's sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled around upon the altar,
And the fat of the bullock, and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth {the inwards} , and the kidneys, and the caul {above} the liver:
And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved {for} a wave-offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
And Aaron lifted up his hand towards the people, and blessed them; and came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and peace-offerings.
And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.
And there came out a fire from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fat: {which} , when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire in it, and put incense on it, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
Then Moses said to Aaron, This {is} what the LORD spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.
And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.
And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD {is} upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying,
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: {it shall be} a statute for ever throughout your generations:
And that ye may make a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken to them by the hand of Moses.
And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat-offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it {is} most holy:
And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it {is} thy due, and thy sons' due, of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire: for so I am commanded.
And the wave-breast and heave-shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for {they are} thy due, and thy sons' due, {which} are given out of the sacrifices of peace-offerings of the children of Israel.
The heave-shoulder and the wave-breast shall they bring, with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave {it for} a wave-offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.
And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin-offering, and behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron {who were} left {alive} , saying,
Why have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the holy place, seeing it {is} most holy, and {God} hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?
Behold, the blood of it was not brought within the holy {place} : ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy {place} , as I commanded.
And Aaron said to Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin-offering, and their burnt-offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and {if} I had eaten the sin-offering to day, would it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD?
And when Moses heard {that} , he was content.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them.
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, These {are} the beasts which ye may eat among all the beasts that {are} on the earth.
Whatever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, {and} cheweth the cud among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
Nevertheless, these shall ye not eat, of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he {is} unclean to you.
And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he {is} unclean to you.
And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof: he {is} unclean to you.
And the swine, though he divideth the hoof, and {is} cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he {is} unclean to you.
Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they {are} unclean to you.
These shall ye eat, of all that {are} in the waters: whatever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
And all that have not fins nor scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living animal which {is} in the waters, they {shall be} an abomination to you:
They shall be even an abomination to you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.
Whatever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that {shall be} an abomination to you.
And these {are they which} ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they {are} an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
And the vultur, and the kite after his kind;
Every raven after his kind;
And the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier-eagle,
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
All fowls that creep, going upon {all} four, {shall be} an abomination to you.
Yet these may ye eat, of every flying creeping animal that goeth upon {all} four, which have legs above their feet, to leap with upon the earth;
{Even} these of them ye may eat; the locust after its kind, and the bald locust after its kind, and the beetle after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.
But all {other} flying creeping animals, which have four feet, {shall be} an abomination to you.
And for these ye shall be unclean: whoever toucheth the carcass of them shall be unclean until the evening.
And whoever beareth {aught} of the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.
{The carcasses} of every beast which divideth the hoof, and {is} not cloven-footed, nor cheweth the cud, {are} unclean to you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
And whatever goeth upon its paws, among all manner of beasts that go on {all} four, those {are} unclean to you: whoever toucheth their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
And he that beareth the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening: they {are} unclean to you.
These also {shall be} unclean to you among the creeping animals that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise, after its kind,
And the ferret and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
These {are} unclean to you among all that creep: whoever doth touch them, when they are dead, shall be unclean until the evening.
And upon whatever {any} of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether {it is} any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatever vessel {it is} , in which {any} work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; so it shall be cleansed.
And every earthen vessel, into which {any} of them falleth, whatever {is} in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.
Of all meat which may be eaten, {that} on which {such} water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drank in every {such} vessel, shall be unclean.
And every {thing} on which {any part} of their carcass falleth, shall be unclean; {whether} an oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: {for} they {are} unclean, and shall be unclean to you.
Nevertheless, a fountain or pit, {in which there is} plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcass shall be unclean.
And if {any part} of their carcass shall fall upon any sowing-seed which is to be sown, it {shall be} clean.
But if {any} water shall be put upon the seed, and {any part} of their carcass shall fall on it, it {shall be} unclean to you.
And if any beast, of which ye may eat, shall die; he that toucheth its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
And he that eateth of its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening; he also that beareth its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.
And every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth {shall be} an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
Whatever goeth upon the belly, and whatever goeth upon {all} four, or whatever hath more feet among all creeping animals that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they {are} an abomination.
Ye shall not make your selves abominable with any creeping animal that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled by them.
For I {am} the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I {am} holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth.
For I {am} the LORD that bringeth you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I {am} holy.
This {is} the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth;
To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a woman hath conceived seed, and borne a male-child; then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days: she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
But if she shall bear a female-child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying sixty six days.
And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest;
Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This {is} the law for her that hath borne a male or a female.
And if she shall not be able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh {like} the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests:
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and {when} the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight {is} deeper than the skin of his flesh, it {is} a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
If the bright spot {is} white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight, not deeper than the skin, and the hair of it not turned white; then the priest shall shut up {him that hath} the plague seven days:
And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and behold, {if} the plague in his sight is at a stay, {and} the plague spreadeth not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:
And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and behold, {if} the plague {is} somewhat dark, {and} the plague spreadeth not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it {is but} a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
But if the scab shall spread much in the skin, after he hath been seen by the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen by the priest again:
And {if} the priest shall see, that behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it {is} a leprosy.
When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought to the priest:
And the priest shall see {him} : and behold, {if} the rising {is} white in the skin, and it hath turned the hair white, and {there is} raw flesh in the rising;
It {is} an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up; for he {is} unclean.
And if a leprosy shall break out in the skin, and the leprosy shall cover all the skin of {him that hath} the plague from his head even to his foot, wherever the priest looketh;
Then the priest shall consider: and behold, {if} the leprosy hath covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce {him} clean {that hath} the plague: it is all turned white: he {is} clean.
But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.
And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: {for} the raw flesh {is} unclean: it {is} a leprosy.
Or if the raw flesh shall turn again, and be changed into white, he shall come to the priest;
And the priest shall see him: and behold, {if} the plague is turned into white: then the priest shall pronounce {him} clean {that hath} the plague: he {is} clean.
The flesh also, in which, {even} in the skin of it, was a boil, and is healed,
And in the place of the boil there shall be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be showed to the priest;
And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it {is} in sight lower than the skin, and the hair of it {is} turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it {is} a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
But if the priest shall look on it, and behold, {there are} no white hairs in it, and {if} it {is} not lower than the skin, but somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
And if it hath spread much in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it {is} a plague.
But if the bright spot shall stay in its place, {and} not spread, it {is} a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
Or if there {is any} flesh, in the skin of which {there is} a hot burning, and the live {flesh} that burneth hath a white bright spot, somewhat reddish or white;
Then the priest shall look upon it: and behold, {if} the hair in the bright spot {is} turned white, and it {is in} sight deeper than the skin: it {is} a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it {is} the plague of leprosy.
But if the priest shall look on it, and behold, {there is} no white hair in the bright spot, and it {is} no lower than the {other} skin, but {is} somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: {and} if it {is} spread much in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it {is} the plague of leprosy,
And if the bright spot shall stay in its place, {and} not spread in the skin, but {be} somewhat dark; it {is} a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it {is} an inflammation of the burning.
If a man or woman shall have a plague upon the head or the beard;
Then the priest shall see the plague: and behold, if it {is} in sight deeper than the skin, {and there is} in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it {is} a dry scall, {even} a leprosy upon the head or beard.
And if the priest shall look on the plague of the scall, and behold, it {is} not in sight deeper than the skin, and no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up {him that hath} the plague of the scall seven days:
And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and behold, {if} the scall spreadeth not, and there is in it no yellow hair, and the scall {is} not in sight deeper than the skin;
He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up {him that hath} the scall seven days more:
And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scall: and behold, {if} the scall is not spread in the skin, nor {is} in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
But if the scall shall spread much in the skin after his cleansing;
Then the priest shall look on him: and behold, if the scall is spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he {is} unclean.
But if the scall shall be in his sight at a stay, and there is black hair grown in it; the scall is healed, he {is} clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
If a man also or a woman shall have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, {even} white bright spots;
Then the priest shall look: and behold, {if} the bright spots in the skin of their flesh {are} darkish white; it {is} a freckled spot {that} groweth in the skin; he {is} clean.
And the man whose hair hath fallen off his head, he {is} bald; {yet is} he clean.
And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head towards his face, he {is} forehead-bald; {yet is} he clean.
And if there is in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; {it is} a leprosy sprung up on his bald head, or his bald forehead.
Then the priest shall look upon it: and behold, {if} the rising of the sore is white reddish on his bald head, or on his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
He is a leprous man, he {is} unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague {is} in his head.
And the leper in whom the plague {is} , his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.
All the days in which the plague {shall be} in him he shall be defiled; he {is} unclean: he shall dwell alone, without the camp {shall} his habitation {be} .
The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, {whether} a woolen garment, or a linen garment;
Whether in the warp, or woof, of linen, or of woolen: whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin:
And if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin: it {is} a plague of leprosy, and shall be shown to the priest:
And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up {that which hath} the plague seven days:
And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague is spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, {or} in a skin, {or} in any work that is made of skin: the plague {is} a fretting leprosy; it {is} unclean.
He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or any thing of skin, in which the plague is: for it {is} a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.
And if the priest shall look, and behold, the plague is not spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;
Then the priest shall command that they wash {the thing} in which the plague {is} , and he shall shut it up seven days more:
And the priest shall look on the plague after it is washed: and behold, {if} the plague hath not changed its color, and the plague hath not spread; it {is} unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it {is} fret inward, {whether} it {is} bare within or without.
And if the priest shall look, and behold, the plague {is} somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:
And if it shall appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it {is} a spreading {plague} : thou shalt burn that in which the plague {is} , with fire.
And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatever thing of skin {it is} , which thou shalt wash, if the plague hath departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.
This {is} the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woolen or linen, either in the warp or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest:
And the priest shall go forth out of the camp: and the priest shall look, and behold, {if} the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper;
Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive, {and} clean, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel, over running water.
As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar-wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them, and the living bird, in the blood of the bird {that was} killed over the running water.
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.
And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.
But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head, and his beard, and his eye-brows, even all his hair he shall shave off; and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.
And on the eighth day he shall take two he-lambs without blemish, and one ewe-lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth-parts of fine flour {for} a meat-offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.
And the priest that maketh {him} clean, shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the priest shall take one he-lamb, and offer him for a trespass-offering, and the log of oil, and wave them {for} a wave-offering before the LORD.
And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin-offering and the burnt-offering, in the holy-place: for as the sin-offering {is} the priest's, {so is} the trespass-offering: it {is} most holy.
And the priest shall take {some} of the blood of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall put {it} upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
And the priest shall take {some} of the log of oil, and pour {it} into the palm of his own left hand:
And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that {is} in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD.
And of the rest of the oil that {is} in his hand, shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass-offering.
And the remnant of the oil that {is} in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.
And the priest shall offer the sin-offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt-offering.
And the priest shall offer the burnt-offering, and the meat-offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.
And if he {is} poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb {for} a trespass-offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth-part of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering, and a log of oil;
And two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin-offering, and the other a burnt-offering.
And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD.
And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass-offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them {for} a wave-offering before the LORD.
And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall take {some} of the blood of the trespass-offering, and put {it} upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand.
And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger {some} of the oil that {is} in his left hand seven times before the LORD:
And the priest shall put of the oil that {is} in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass-offering.
And the rest of the oil that {is} in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.
And he shall offer one of the turtle-doves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;
{Even} such as he is able to get, the one {for} a sin-offering, and the other {for} a burnt-offering, with the meat-offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed, before the LORD.
This {is} the law {of him} in whom is the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get {that which pertaineth} to his cleansing.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
When ye shall have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, it seemeth to me {there is} as it were a plague in the house:
Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest shall enter to see the plague, that all that {is} in the house may not be made unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:
And he shall look on the plague, and behold, {if} the plague {is} in the walls of the house, with hollow streaks, greenish, or reddish, which in sight {are} lower than the wall;
Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:
And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look; and behold, {if} the plague is spread in the walls of the house;
Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague {is} , and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
And he shall cause the house to be scraped within on all sides, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:
And they shall take other stones, and put {them} in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.
And if the plague shall return, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plastered;
Then the priest shall come and look; and behold, {if} the plague is spread in the house, it {is} a fretting leprosy in the house: it {is} unclean.
And he shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the mortar of the house: and he shall carry {them} forth out of the city to an unclean place.
Moreover, he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up, shall be unclean until the evening.
And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes: and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.
And if the priest shall come in, and look {upon it} , and behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plastered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
And he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel, over running water:
And he shall take the cedar-wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:
And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:
But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.
This {is} the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house,
And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot:
To teach when {it is} unclean, and when {it is} clean: this {is} the law of leprosy.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, {because of} his issue he {is} unclean.
And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh shall run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it {is} his uncleanness.
Every bed on which he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing on which he sitteth, shall be unclean.
And whoever toucheth his bed, shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And he that sitteth on {any} thing on which he sat that hath the issue, shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue, shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And if he that hath the issue shall spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And whatever saddle he rideth upon that hath the issue, shall be unclean.
And whoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the evening; and he that beareth {any of} those things, shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue (and hath not rinsed his hands in water) he shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And the vessel of earth that he toucheth who hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.
And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them to the priest:
And the priest shall offer them, the one {for} a sin-offering, and the other {for} a burnt-offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.
And if any man's seed of copulation shall go from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And every garment, and every skin on which is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening.
The woman also with whom man shall lie {with} seed of copulation, they shall {both} bathe {themselves} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And if a woman shall have an issue, {and} her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the evening.
And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
And whoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And whoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
And if it {be} on {her} bed, or on any thing on which she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the evening.
And if any man shall lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days: and all the bed on which he lieth shall be unclean.
And if a woman shall have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it shall run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she {shall be} unclean.
Every bed on which she lieth all the days of her issue shall be to her as the bed of her separation: and whatever she sitteth upon shall be unclean as the uncleanness of her separation.
And whoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening.
But if she shall be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.
And on the eighth day she shall take to her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the priest shall offer the one {for} a sin-offering, and the other {for} a burnt-offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.
Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness: that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that {is} among them.
This {is} the law of him that hath an issue, and {of him} whose seed goeth from him, and {he} is defiled therewith.
And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
And the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died:
And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy {place} within the vail, before the mercy-seat, which {is} upon the ark; that he may not die: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat.
Thus shall Aaron come into the holy {place} : with a young bullock for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering.
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with the linen girdle, and with the linen miter shall he be attired: these {are} holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and {so} put them on.
And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering, and one ram for a burnt-offering.
And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin-offering, which {is} for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scape-goat.
And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him {for} a sin-offering.
But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scape-goat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, {and} to let him go for a scape-goat into the wilderness.
And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin-offering, which {is} for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering which {is} for himself:
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring {it} within the vail:
And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat that {is} upon the testimony, that he may not die.
And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle {it} with his finger upon the mercy-seat eastward: and before the mercy-seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering that {is} for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat:
And he shall make an atonement for the holy {place} , because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy {place} , until he shall come out, and shall have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.
And he shall go out to the altar that {is} before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put {it} upon the horns of the altar round about.
And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy {place} , and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send {him} away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities to a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the holy {place} , and shall leave them there:
And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy {place} , and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt-offering, and the burnt-offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.
And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar.
And he that let go the goat for the scape-goat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
And the bullock {for} the sin-offering, and the goat {for} the sin-offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy {place} , shall {one} carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.
And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.
And {this} shall be a statute for ever to you: {that} in the seventh month, on the tenth {day} of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, {whether it be} one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
For on that day shall {the priest} make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, {that} ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
It {shall be} a sabbath of rest to you, and ye shall afflict your souls by a statute for ever.
And the priest whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, {even} the holy garments:
And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar: and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
And this shall be an everlasting statute to you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, This {is} the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying,
Whatever man {there may be} of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat in the camp, or that killeth {it} out of the camp,
And bringeth it not to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering to the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed to that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:
To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them to the LORD, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest, and offer them {for} peace-offerings to the LORD.
And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savor to the LORD.
And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to idols, with which they have committed idolatry: This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations.
And thou shalt say to them, Whatever man {there may be} of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt-offering or sacrifice,
And bringeth it not to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it to the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.
And whatever man {there may be} of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
For the life of the flesh {is} in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your souls: for it {is} the blood {that} maketh an atonement for the soul.
Therefore I said to the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.
And whatever man {there may be} of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, who hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out its blood, and cover it with dust.
For {it is} the life of all flesh, the blood of it {is} for the life of it; therefore I said to the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh {is} its blood: whoever eateth it shall be cut off.
And every soul that eateth that which died {of itself} , or that which was torn {with beasts} , ({whether it is} one of your own country, or a stranger) he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe {himself} in water, and be unclean until the evening; then shall he be clean.
But if he doth not wash {them} , nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, I {am} the LORD your God.
After the doings of the land of Egypt in which ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.
Ye shall perform my judgments, and keep my ordinances, to walk in them; I {am} the LORD your God.
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments: which if a man doeth, he shall live in them: I {am} the LORD.
None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover {their} nakedness: I am the LORD.
The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she {is} thy mother, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it {is} thy father's nakedness.
The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, {whether} born at home, or born abroad, {even} their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.
The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, {even} their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs {is} thy own nakedness.
The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten by thy father, (she {is} thy sister) thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she {is} thy father's near kinswoman.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she {is} thy mother's near kinswoman.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she {is} thy aunt.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she {is} thy son's wife, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it {is} thy brother's nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; {for} they {are} her near kinswomen: it {is} wickedness.
Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex {her} , to uncover her nakedness besides the other in her life -{time} .
Also thou shalt not approach to a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
Moreover, thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her.
And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through {the fire} to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I {am} the LORD.
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it {is} abomination.
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it {is} confusion.
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit its iniquity upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit {any} of these abominations; {neither} any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you.
(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, who {were} before you, and the land is defiled;)
That the land may not vomit you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nations that {were} before you.
For whoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit {them} shall be cut off from among their people.
Therefore shall ye keep my ordinance, that {ye} commit not {any one} of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves in them; I {am} the LORD your God.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God {am} holy.
Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I {am} the LORD your God.
Turn ye not to idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I {am} the LORD your God.
And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings to the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.
It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if aught shall remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.
And if it shall be eaten at all on the third day, it {is} abominable; it shall not be accepted.
Therefore {every one} that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather {every} grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I {am} the LORD your God.
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I {am} the LORD.
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob {him} : the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I {am} the LORD.
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: {but} in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not go up and down {as} a tale-bearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor; I {am} the LORD.
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; I {am} the LORD.
Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle engender with a diverse kind: Thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woolen come upon thee.
And whoever lieth carnally with a woman that {is} a bond-maid betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged: they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
And he shall bring his trespass-offering to the LORD, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, {even} a ram for a trespass-offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done; and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.
And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food; then ye shall count its fruit as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised to you: it shall not be eaten of.
But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy to praise the LORD {with} .
And in the fifth year shall ye eat of its fruit, that it may yield to you its increase: I {am} the LORD your God.
Ye shall not eat {any thing} with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I {am} the LORD.
Do not prostitute thy daughter to cause her to be a harlot: lest the land should fall to lewdness, and the land become full of wickedness.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I {am} the LORD.
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I {am} the LORD your God.
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I {am} the LORD.
And if a stranger shall sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not oppress him.
{But} the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be to you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I {am} the LORD your God.
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in weight, in measure of length or of capacity.
Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin shall ye have: I {am} the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I {am} the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Again thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whoever {he be} of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth {any} of his seed to Molech, he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed to Molech, and kill him not;
Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go astray after him, to commit lewdness with Molech from among their people.
And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go astray after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye holy: for I {am} the LORD your God.
And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I {am} the LORD who sanctify you.
For every one that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood {shall be} upon him.
And the man that committeth adultery with {another} man's wife, {even he} that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death: their blood {shall be} upon them.
And if a man shall lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood {shall be} upon them.
If a man also shall lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood {shall be} upon them.
And if a man shall take a wife and her mother, it {is} wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they: that there be no wickedness among you.
And if a man shall lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
And if a woman shall approach to any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman and the beast; they shall surely be put to death; their blood {shall be} upon them.
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it {is} a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it {is} an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land whither I bring you to dwell therein, may not vomit you out.
And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nations which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.
But I have said to you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I {am} the LORD your God, who have separated you from {other} people.
Ye shall therefore distinguish between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast or by fowl, or by any manner of living animal that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.
And ye shall be holy to me: for I the LORD {am} holy, and have severed you from {other} people, that ye should be mine.
A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood {shall be} upon them.
And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:
But for his kin, that is near to him, {that is} , for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,
And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh to him, who hath had no husband: for her he may be defiled.
{But} he shall not defile himself, {being} a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, {and} the bread of their God they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
They shall not take a wife {that is} a lewd woman, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he {is} holy to his God.
Thou shalt sanctify him therefore, for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy to thee: for I the LORD, who sanctify you, {am} holy.
And the daughter of any priest, if she shall profane herself by lewdness, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
And {he that is} the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;
Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God {is} upon him: I {am} the LORD.
And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, {or} a harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people for a wife.
Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron, saying, whoever {he may be} of thy seed in their generations that hath {any} blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God:
For whatever man {he may be} that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,
Or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed,
Or crooked-backed, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his peculiar members broken:
No man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that hath a blemish, shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire; he hath a blemish, he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.
He shall eat the bread of his God, {both} of the most holy, and of the holy.
Only he shall not go in to the vail, nor come nigh to the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he may not profane my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.
And Moses told {it} to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name {in those things} which they hallow to me: I {am} the LORD.
Say to them, Whoever {he may be} of all your seed among your generations, that approacheth the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow to the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I {am} the LORD.
Whatever man of the seed of Aaron {is} a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. And whoever toucheth any thing {that is} unclean {by} the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;
Or whoever toucheth any creeping animal, by which he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he hath:
The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until evening, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he shall wash his flesh with water.
And when the sun is set, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things, because it {is} his food.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn {by beasts} , he shall not eat to defile himself with it: I {am} the LORD.
They shall therefore keep my ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.
There shall no stranger eat {of} the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or a hired servant, shall not eat {of} the holy thing.
But if the priest shall buy {any} soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat.
If the priest's daughter also shall be {married} to a stranger, she may not eat of an offering of the holy things.
But if the priest's daughter shall be a widow, or divorced, and shall have no child, and have returned to her father's house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father's meat; but there shall no stranger eat of it.
And if a man shall eat {of} the holy thing unknowingly, then he shall put to it the fifth {part} , and shall give {it} to the priest, with the holy thing.
And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel which they offer to the LORD;
Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, Whoever {he may be} of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his free-will-offerings, which they will offer to the LORD for a burnt-offering:
{Ye shall offer} at your own will a male without blemish of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.
{But} whatever hath a blemish, {that} shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
And whoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings to the LORD to accomplish {his} vow, or a free-will-offering in beeves, or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted: there shall be in it no blemish.
Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these to the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar to the LORD.
Either a bullock, or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer {for} a free-will-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
Ye shall not offer to the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make {any offering thereof} in your land.
Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption {is} in them, {and} blemishes {are} in them: they shall not be accepted for you.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And {whether it is} cow, or ewe, ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day.
And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it at your own will.
On the same day it shall be eaten up, ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I {am} the LORD.
Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I {am} the LORD.
Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I {am} the LORD who hallow you,
That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I {am} the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, {Concerning} the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim {to be} holy convocations, {even} these {are} my feasts.
Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day {is} the sabbath of rest, a holy convocation: ye shall do no work {in it} : it {is} the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
These {are} the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
In the fourteenth {day} of the first month at evening {is} the LORD'S passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month {is} the feast of unleavened bread to the LORD, seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work in it.
But ye shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD seven days: in the seventh day {is} a holy convocation, ye shall do no servile work {in it} .
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye shall have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest:
And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
And ye shall offer, that day when ye wave the sheaf, a he-lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt-offering to the LORD.
And the meat-offering thereof {shall be} two tenth-parts of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire to the LORD {for} a sweet savor: and the drink-offering thereof {shall be} of wine, the fourth {part} of a hin.
And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the same day that ye have brought an offering to your God: {It shall be} a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
And ye shall count to you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Even to the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat-offering to the LORD.
Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave-loaves of two tenth-parts: they shall be of fine flour, they shall be baked with leaven, {they are} the first-fruits to the LORD.
And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be {for} a burnt-offering to the LORD, with their meat-offering, and their drink offerings, {even} an offering made by fire of a sweet savor to the LORD.
Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin-offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace-offerings.
And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits {for} a wave-offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
And ye shall proclaim on the same day, {that} it may be a holy convocation to you: ye shall do no servile work {in it} . {it shall be} a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them to the poor, and to the stranger: I {am} the LORD your God.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first {day} of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
Ye shall do no servile work {in it} ; but ye shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Also on the tenth {day} of this seventh month {there shall be} a day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation to you, and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And ye shall do no work in that same day; for it {is} a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
For whatever soul {it may be} that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
And whatever soul {it may be} that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Ye shall do no manner of work. {It shall be} a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
It {shall be} to you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls in the ninth {day} of the month at evening: from evening to evening shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month {shall be} the feast of tabernacles {for} seven days to the LORD.
On the first day {shall be} a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work {in it} .
Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you, and ye shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD: it {is} a solemn assembly; {and} ye shall do no servile work {in it} .
These {are} the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim {to be} holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, a sacrifice, and drink-offerings, every thing upon its day:
Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your free-will-offerings, which ye give to the LORD.
Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days: on the first day {shall be} a sabbath, and on the eighth day {shall be} a sabbath.
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
And ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD seven days in the year. {It shall be} a statute for ever in your generations; ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Ye shall dwell in booths seven days: all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I {am} the LORD your God.
And Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, that they bring to thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening to the morning before the LORD continually: {It shall be} a statute for ever in your generations.
Ye shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenth-parts shall be in one cake.
And thou shalt set them in two rows, six in a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon {each} row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, {even} an offering made by fire to the LORD.
Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, {being taken} from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it {is} most holy to him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
And the son of an Israelitish woman whose father {was} an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and this son of the Israelitish {woman} and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;
And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name {of the LORD} , and cursed: and they brought him to Moses: (and his mother's name {was} Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)
And they put him in custody, that the mind of the LORD might be shown to them.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard {him} lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
And thou shalt speak to the children of Israel, saying, Whoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.
And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, {and} all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name {of the LORD} , shall be put to death.
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.
And if a man shall cause a blemish in his neighbor; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him.
And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I {am} the LORD your God.
And Moses spoke to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones: and the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses in mount Sinai, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath to the LORD.
Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest to the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.
That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest, thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: {for} it is a year of rest to the land.
And the sabbath of the land shall be food for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee,
And for thy cattle, and for the beast that {are} in thy land, shall all the increase of it be food.
And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years to thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to thee forty and nine years.
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound, on the tenth {day} of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout {all} the land to all its inhabitants: it shall be a jubilee to you; and ye shall return every man to his possession, and ye shall return every man to his family.
A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be to you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather {the grapes} in it of thy vine undressed.
For it {is} the jubilee; it shall be holy to you: ye shall eat the increase of it out of the field.
In the year of this jubilee ye shall return every man to his possession.
And if thou shalt sell aught to thy neighbor, or buy {aught} of thy neighbor's hand, ye shall not oppress one another:
According to the number of years after the jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neighbor, {and} according to the number of years of the fruits he shall sell to thee:
According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price of it, and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it: for {according} to the number {of the years} of the fruits doth he sell to thee.
Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I {am} the LORD your God.
Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.
And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell in it in safety.
And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow nor gather in our increase:
Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years.
And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat of old fruit until the ninth year; until its fruits come in ye shall eat {of} the old {store} .
The land shall not be sold for ever; for the land {is} mine, for ye {are} strangers and sojourners with me.
And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.
If thy brother shall have become poor, and have sold {some} of his possession, and if any of his kin shall come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
And if the man shall have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;
Then let him count the years of the sale of it, and restore the overplus to the man to whom he sold it; that he may return to his possession.
But if he shall not be able to restore {it} to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return to his possession.
And if a man shall sell a dwelling-house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold: {within} a full year may he redeem it.
And if it shall not be redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that {is} in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it, throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubilee,
But the houses of the villages which have no walls around them, shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee.
Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, {and} the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.
And if a man shall purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession shall go out in the {year of} jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites {are} their possession among the children of Israel.
But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold, for it {is} their perpetual possession.
And if thy brother shall have become poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: {yea, though he} may {be} a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
Take thou no interest of him, or increase; but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon interest, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
I {am} the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, {and} to be your God.
And if thy brother {that dwelleth} by thee shall have become poor, and be sold to thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bond servant:
{But} as a hired servant, {and} as a sojourner he shall be with thee, {and} shall serve thee to the year of jubilee.
And {then} shall he depart from thee, {both} he and his children with him, and shall return to his own family, and to the possession of his fathers shall he return.
For they {are} my servants, which I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bond-men.
Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God.
Both thy bond-men, and thy bond-maids, which thou shalt have, {shall be} of the heathen that are around you; of them shall ye buy bond-men and bond-maids.
Moreover of the children of the strangers that sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.
And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit {them for} a possession, they shall be your bond-men for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor.
And if a sojourner or a stranger shall become rich by thee, and thy brother {that dwelleth} by him shall become poor, and sell himself to the stranger {or} sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:
Either his uncle, or his uncle's son may redeem him, or {any} that is nigh of kin to him of his family, may redeem him; or if he is able, he may redeem himself.
And he shall reckon with him that bought him, from the year that he was sold to him, to the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according to the number of years, according to the time of a hired servant shall it be with him.
If {there shall be} yet many years {behind} , according to them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for.
And if there shall remain but few years to the year of jubilee, then he shall count with him, {and} according to his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption.
{And} as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: {and the other} shall not rule with rigor over him in thy sight.
And if he shall not be redeemed in these {years} , then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, {both} he, and his children with him.
For to me the children of Israel {are} servants, they {are} my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I {am} the LORD your God.
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up {any} image of stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I {am} the LORD your God.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I {am} the LORD.
If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit:
And your threshing shall reach to the vintage, and the vintage shall reach to the sowing time; and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make {you} afraid: and I will rid the land of evil beasts, neither shall the sword go through your land.
And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
For I will have respect to you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.
And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.
And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
I {am} the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bond-men, and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
But if ye will not hearken to me, and will not do all these commandments;
And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul shall abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, {but} that ye break my covenant:
I also will do this to you, I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you, and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken to me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
And if ye shall walk contrary to me, and will not hearken to me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number, and your {high} -ways shall be desolate.
And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary to me;
Then will I also walk contrary to you, and I will punish you yet seven times for your sins.
And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of {my} covenant: and when ye are gathered within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you: and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.
{And} when I have broke the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver {you} your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
And if ye will not for all this hearken to me, but walk contrary to me;
Then I will walk contrary to you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries to desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors.
And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies who dwell in it shall be astonished at it.
And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
Then shall the land enjoy its sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye {are} in your enemies' land; {even} then shall the land rest, and enjoy its sabbaths.
As long as it lieth desolate, it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
And upon them that are left {alive} of you, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall, when none pursueth.
And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.
And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary to me;
And {that} I also have walked contrary to them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts shall be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
The land also shall be left by them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity; because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
And yet for all that, when they shall be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them; for I {am} the LORD their God.
But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I {am} the LORD.
These {are} the statutes, and judgments, and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons {shall be} for the LORD, by thy estimation.
And thy estimation shall be, of the male from twenty years old even to sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
And if it {shall be} a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels.
And if {it shall be} from five years old even to twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
And if {it shall be} from a month old even to five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation {shall be} three shekels of silver.
And if {it shall be} from sixty years old and above; if a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
But if he shall be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him: according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.
And if {it shall be} a beast of which men bring an offering to the LORD, all that {any man} giveth of such to the LORD shall be holy.
He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange of it shall be holy.
And if {it shall be} any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice to the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest:
And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as thou valuest it, {who art} the priest, so shall it be.
But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth {part} of it to thy estimation.
And when a man shall sanctify his house {to be} holy to the LORD, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it is good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.
And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth {part} of the money of thy estimation to it, and it shall be his.
And if a man shall sanctify to the LORD {some part} of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed of it: a homer of barley seed {shall be valued} at fifty shekels of silver.
If he shall sanctify his field from the year of jubilee, according to thy estimation it shall stand.
But if he shall sanctify his field after the jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money according to the years that remain, even to the year of the jubilee, and it shall be abated from thy estimation.
And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth {part} of the money of thy estimation to it, and it shall be assured to him.
And if he will not redeem the field, or if he shall have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.
But the field, when it goeth out in the jubilee, shall be holy to the LORD, as a field devoted: the possession of it shall be the priest's.
And if {a man} shall sanctify to the LORD a field which he hath bought, which {is} not of the fields of his possession;
Then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of thy estimation, {even} to the year of the jubilee, and he shall give thy estimation in that day, {as} a holy thing to the LORD.
In the year of the jubilee, the field shall return to him of whom it was bought, {even} to him to whom the possession of the land {belonged} .
And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether ox, or sheep: it {is} the LORD'S.
And if {it shall be} of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem {it} , according to thy estimation, and shall add to it a fifth {part} of it: or if it shall be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation.
Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man shall devote to the LORD of all that he hath, {both} of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD.
None devoted, which shall be devoted by men, shall be redeemed: {but} shall surely be put to death.
And all the tithe of the land, {whether} of the seed of the land, {or} of the fruit of the tree, {is} the LORD'S: {it is} holy to the LORD.
And if a man will at all redeem {aught} of his tithes, he shall add to it the fifth {part} of it.
And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, {even} of whatever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the LORD.
He shall not search whether it is good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he shall change it at all, then both it and the change of it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
These {are} the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.
And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first {day} of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families by the house of their fathers, with the number of {their} names, every male by their poll:
From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel; thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
And these {are} the names of the men that shall stand with you: Of {the tribe of} Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.
Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.
Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
These {were} the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
And Moses and Aaron took these men who are expressed by {their} names:
And they assembled all the congregation on the first {day} of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.
As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Reuben, {were} forty and six thousand and five hundred.
Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Simeon, {were} fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Gad, {were} forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Judah, {were} seventy and four thousand and six hundred.
Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Issachar, {were} fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Zebulun, {were} fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
Of the children of Joseph, {namely} , of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Ephraim, {were} forty thousand and five hundred.
Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Manasseh, {were} thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Benjamin, {were} thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Dan, {were} sixty and two thousand and seven hundred.
Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Asher, {were} forty and one thousand and five hundred.
Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Those that were numbered of them, {even} of the tribe of Naphtali, {were} fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
These {are} those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, {being} twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.
So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;
Even all they that were numbered, were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
But the Levites, after the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them.
For the LORD had spoken to Moses, saying,
Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all things that {belong} to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all its vessels, and they shall minister to it, and shall encamp around the tabernacle.
And when the tabernacle moveth forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.
But the Levites shall pitch around the tabernacle of testimony; that there may be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
And on the east side towards the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab {shall be} captain of the children of Judah.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} seventy and four thousand and six hundred.
And those that shall pitch next to him, {shall be} the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar {shall be} captain of the children of Issachar.
And his host, and those that were numbered of it, {were} fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
{Then} the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon {shall be} captain of the children of Zebulun.
And his host, and those that were numbered of it, {were} fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
All that were numbered in the camp of Judah {were} a hundred thousand and eighty thousand and six thousand and four hundred throughout their armies: these shall first move forward.
On the south side {shall be} the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben {shall be} Elizur the son of Shedeur.
And his host, and those that were numbered of it {were} forty and six thousand and five hundred.
And those who pitch by him {shall be} the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon {shall be} Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad {shall be} Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben {were} a hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies: and they shall move forward in the second rank.
Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall move forward with the camp of the Levites, in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they move forward, every man in his place by their standards.
On the west side {shall be} the standard of the camp of Ephraim, according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim {shall be} Elishama the son of Ammihud.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} forty thousand and five hundred.
And by him {shall be} the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh {shall be} Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin {shall be} Abidan the son of Gideoni.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim, {were} a hundred thousand and eight thousand and a hundred, throughout their armies: and they shall go forward in the third rank.
The standard of the camp of Dan {shall be} on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan {shall be} Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} sixty and two thousand and seven hundred.
And those that encamp by him {shall be} the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher {shall be} Pagiel the son of Ocran.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} forty and one thousand and five hundred.
Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali {shall be} Ahira the son of Enan.
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, {were} fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan {were} a hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred: they shall go hindmost with their standards.
These {are} those who were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers. All those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts, {were} six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they moved forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.
These also {are} the generations of Aaron and Moses, in the day {that} the LORD spoke with Moses in mount Sinai.
And these {are} the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the first-born, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
These {are} the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
And thou shalt give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons: they {are} wholly given to him out of the children of Israel.
And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel, instead of all the first-born that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
Because all the first-born {are} mine; {for} on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed to me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast: mine they shall be: I {am} the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.
And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
And these were the sons of Levi, by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
And these {are} the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.
And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi: these {are} the families of the Levites, according to the house of their fathers.
Of Gershon {was} the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these {are} the families of the Gershonites.
Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, {even} those that were numbered of them, {were} seven thousand and five hundred.
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites {shall be} Eliasaph the son of Lael.
And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation {shall be} the tabernacle, and the tent, its covering, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which {is} by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it, for all the service of it.
And of Kohath {was} the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these {are} the families of the Kohathites.
In the number of all the males from a month old and upward, {were} eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites {shall be} Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
And their charge {shall be} the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the hanging, and all the service of it.
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest {shall be} chief over the chief of the Levites, {and have} the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
Of Merari {was} the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these {are} the families of Merari.
And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, {were} six thousand and two hundred.
And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari {was} Zuriel the son of Abihail: {these} shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.
And {under} the custody and charge of the sons of Merari {shall be} the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets, and all its vessels, and all that serveth to it.
And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.
But those that encamp before the tabernacle towards the east, {even} before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward {shall be} Moses and Aaron, and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary, for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
All that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, {were} twenty and two thousand.
And the LORD said to Moses, number all the first-born of the males of the children of Israel, from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I {am} the LORD) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites, instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the first-born among the children of Israel.
And all the first-born males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and seventy and three.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take the Levites instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I {am} the LORD.
And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and seventy and three, of the first-born of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites:
Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take {them} : the shekel {is} twenty gerahs.
And thou shalt give to Aaron and to his sons the money, with which the odd number of them is to be redeemed.
And Moses took the redemption-money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:
Of the first-born of the children of Israel he took the money; a thousand three hundred and sixty and five {shekels} , after the shekel of the sanctuary.
And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed to Aaron, and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers;
From thirty years old and upward, even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
This {shall be} the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, {about} the most holy things.
And when the camp moveth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
And shall put on it the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over {it} a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staffs of it.
And upon the table of show-bread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put on it the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover with: and the continual bread shall be upon it.
And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staffs of it.
And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and its lamps, and its tongs, and its snuff-dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it:
And they shall put it, and all its vessels, within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put {it} upon a bar.
And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to it its staffs.
And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put {them} in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put {them} on a bar.
And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth upon it:
And they shall put upon it all its vessels, with which they minister about it, {even} the censers, the flesh-hooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to it its staffs.
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to move forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear {it} : but they shall not touch {any} holy thing, lest they die. These {things are} the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest {pertain} the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat-offering, and the anointing oil, {and} the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that {is} in it, in the sanctuary, and in its vessels.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
But thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:
But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the house of their fathers, by their families;
From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
This {is} the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, its covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that {is} above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which {is} by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.
At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint to them in charge all their burdens.
This {is} the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge {shall be} under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;
From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And this {is} the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets,
And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.
This {is} the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:
And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
These {were} they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.
These {are} they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD.
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
These {are} those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,
Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and eighty.
According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered by him, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whoever is defiled by the dead:
Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst of which I dwell.
And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the LORD spoke to Moses, so did the children of Israel.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person shall be guilty;
Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal of it, and add to it the fifth {part} of it, and give {it} to {him} against whom he hath trespassed.
But if the man shall have no kinsman to recompense the trespass to, let the trespass be recompensed to the LORD, {even} to the priest; besides the ram of the atonement, by which an atonement shall be made for him.
And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his.
And every man's hallowed things shall be his: whatever any man giveth to the priest, it shall be his.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, If any man's wife shall go astray, and commit a trespass against him,
And a man shall lie with her carnally, and it shall be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and {there be} no witness against her, neither she be taken {with the manner} ;
And the spirit of jealousy shall come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy shall come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
Then shall the man bring his wife to the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth {part} of an ephah of barley-meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense upon it; for it {is} an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:
And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put {it} into the water:
And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which {is} the jealousy-offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:
And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say to the woman, If no man hath lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness {with another} instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse:
But if thou hast gone aside {to another} instead of thy husband, and if thou art defiled, and some man hath lain with thee besides thy husband:
Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say to the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to perish, and thy belly to swell;
And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make {thy} belly to swell, and {thy} thigh to perish. And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot {them} out with the bitter water:
And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, {and become} bitter.
Then the priest shall take the jealousy-offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:
And the priest shall take a handful of the offering, {even} the memorial of it, and burn {it} upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.
And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, {that} , if she is defiled, and hath done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, {and become} bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall perish: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.
And if the woman is not defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.
This {is} the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth astray {to another} instead of her husband, and is defiled;
Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he is jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.
Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When either man or woman shall separate {themselves} to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate {themselves} to the LORD.
He shall separate {himself} from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine-tree, from the kernels even to the husk.
All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days shall be fulfilled, in which he separateth {himself} to the LORD, he shall be holy, {and} shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
All the days that he separateth {himself} to the LORD, he shall come at no dead body.
He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God {is} upon his head.
All the days of his separation he {is} holy to the LORD.
And if any man shall die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.
And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
And the priest shall offer the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.
And he shall consecrate to the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass-offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.
And this {is} the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
And he shall offer his offering to the LORD, one he-lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt-offering, and one ewe-lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin-offering, and one ram without blemish for peace-offerings,
And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat-offering and their drink-offerings.
And the priest shall bring {them} before the LORD, and shall offer his sin-offering, and his burnt-offering:
And he shall offer the ram {for} a sacrifice of peace-offerings to the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation {at} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put {it} in the fire which {is} under the sacrifice of the peace-offerings.
And the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put {them} upon the hands of the Nazarite, after {the hair of} his separation is shaven:
And the priest shall wave them {for} a wave-offering before the LORD: this {is} holy for the priest, with the wave-breast, and heave-shoulder: and after that, the Nazarite may drink wine.
This {is} the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, {and of} his offering to the LORD for his separation, besides {that} which his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them,
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious to thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all its instruments, both the altar and all its vessels, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who {were} the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:
And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take {it} of them, that they may be to perform the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.
And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service:
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
But to the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging to them {was that} they should bear upon their shoulders.
And the princes offered for dedicating the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.
And the LORD said to Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.
And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:
And his offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them {were} full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One spoon of ten {shekels} of gold, full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year; this {was} the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, offered.
He offered {for} his offering one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One spoon of gold of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, of the weight of a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, of the weight of a hundred and thirty {shekels} , a silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
On the eighth day {offered} Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
His offering {was} one silver charger of the weight of a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.
On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, {offered} :
His offering {was} one silver charger, the weight of which {was} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
One golden spoon of ten {shekels} , full of incense:
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering:
One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year: this {was} the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.
This {was} the dedication of the altar (in the day when it was anointed) by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:
Each charger of silver {weighing} a hundred and thirty {shekels} , each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels {weighed} two thousand and four hundred {shekels} , after the shekel of the sanctuary:
The golden spoons {were} twelve, full of incense, {weighing} ten {shekels} apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons {was} a hundred and twenty {shekels} .
All the oxen for the burnt-offering {were} twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat-offering: and the kids of the goats for sin-offering, twelve.
And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace-offerings {were} twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he-goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This {was} the dedication of the altar, after it was anointed.
And when Moses had entered into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking to him from off the mercy-seat that {was} upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron, and say to him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps of it over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And this work of the candlestick {was of} beaten gold, to its shaft, to the flowers of it, {was} beaten work: according to the pattern which the LORD had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
And thus shalt thou do to them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and {so} make themselves clean.
Then let them take a young bullock with his meat-offering, {even} fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin-offering.
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt convene the whole assembly of the children of Israel:
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD {for} an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.
And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one {for} a sin-offering, and the other {for} a burnt-offering, to the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them {for} an offering to the LORD.
Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
And after that shall the Levites go in to perform the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them {for} an offering.
For they {are} wholly given to me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, {even instead of} the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them to me.
For all the first born of the children of Israel {are} mine, {both} man and beast: on the day that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
And I have taken the Levites for all the first-born of the children of Israel.
And I have given the Levites {as} a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there may be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh to the sanctuary.
And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according to all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel to them.
And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them {as} an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.
And after that went the Levites in to perform their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they to them.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
This {is it} that {belongeth} to the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service {of it} , and shall serve no more:
But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do to the Levites concerning their charge.
And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at its appointed season.
In the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, ye shall keep it in its appointed season: according to all its rites, and according to all its ceremonies, shall ye keep it.
And Moses spoke to the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.
And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at evening in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
And those men said to him, We {are} defiled by the dead body of a man: why are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in its appointed season among the children of Israel?
And Moses said to them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or {be} in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover to the LORD.
The fourteenth day of the second month at evening, they shall keep it, {and} eat it with unleavened bread and bitter {herbs} .
They shall leave none of it to the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
But the man that {is} clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover to the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner of it, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
And on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, {namely} , the tent of the testimony: and at evening there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
So it was always; the cloud covered it {by day} , and the appearance of fire by night.
And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
And {so} it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
And {so} it was, when the cloud abode from evening to the morning, and {that} the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether {it was} by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
Or {whether it was} two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining upon it, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them; that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And if they blow {but} with one {trumpet} , then the princes, {who are} heads of the thousands of Israel, shall assemble themselves to thee.
When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
But when the congregation is to be convened, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I {am} the LORD your God.
And it came to pass on the twentieth {day} of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
And the children of Israel took their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
In the first {place} went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host {was} Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar {was} Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun {was} Eliab the son of Helon.
And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari moved forward, bearing the tabernacle.
And the standard of the camp of Reuben moved forward according to their armies: and over his host {was} Elizur the son of Shedeur.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon {was} Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad {was} Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
And the Kohathites moved forward, bearing the sanctuary: and {the other} set up the tabernacle against they came.
And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim moved forward according to their armies: and over his host {was} Elishama the son of Ammihud.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh {was} Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin {was} Abidan the son of Gideoni.
And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan moved forward, {which was} the rear-ward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host {was} Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher {was} Pagiel the son of Ocran.
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali {was} Ahira the son of Enan.
Thus {were} the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they moved forward.
And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses's father-in-law, We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said, I will give it to you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
And he said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my kindred.
And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.
And it shall be, if thou wilt go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do to us, the same will we do to thee.
And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to seek a resting-place for them.
And the cloud of the LORD {was} upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
And it came to pass, when the ark moved forward, that Moses said, Arise, LORD, and let thy enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, to the many thousands of Israel.
And {when} the people complained, it displeased the LORD; and the LORD heard {it} : and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed {them that were} in the uttermost parts of the camp.
And the people cried to Moses; and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched.
And he called the name of the place Taberah; because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
And the mixed multitude that {was} among them fell to lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
We remember the fish which we ate in Egypt freely: the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:
But now our soul {is} dried away; {there is} nothing at all, besides this manna, {before} our eyes.
And the manna {was} as coriander-seed, and the color of it as the color of bdellium.
{And} the people went about, and gathered {it} and ground {it} in mills, or beat {it} in a mortar, and baked {it} in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly: Moses also was displeased.
And Moses said to the LORD, Why hast thou afflicted thy servant? and why have I not found favor in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say to me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father beareth the sucking child, to the land which thou sworest to their fathers?
Whence should I have flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because {it is} too heavy for me.
And if thou dealest thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
And the LORD said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which {is} upon thee, and will put {it} upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou mayest not bear it thyself alone.
And say thou to the people, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow, and ye shall eat flesh; for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for {it was} well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.
Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;
{But} even a whole month, until it shall come out at your nostrils, and it be lothsome to you; because ye have despised the LORD who {is} among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
And Moses said, The people among whom I {am} , {are} six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice for them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered for them, to suffice for them?
And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD'S hand shortened? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass to thee, or not.
And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them around the tabernacle.
And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the spirit that {was} upon him, and gave {it} to the seventy elders: and it came to pass, {that} when the spirit rested upon them; they prophesied, and did not cease.
But there remained two {of the} men in the camp, the name of the one {was} Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them, and they {were} of them that were described, but went not out to the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, {one} of his young men, answered and said, My lord, Moses, forbid them.
And Moses said to him, Enviest thou for my sake? I would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, {and} that the LORD would put his spirit upon them.
And Moses withdrew into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let {them} fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and as it were two cubits {high} upon the face of the earth.
And the people stood up all that day, and all {that} night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread {them} all abroad for themselves around the camp.
And while the flesh {was} yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.
And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.
{And} the people journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah to Hazeroth: and abode at Hazeroth.
And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married: for he had married a Cushite woman.
And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoke only by Moses? hath he not spoke also by us? And the LORD heard {it} .
(Now the man Moses {was} very meek, above all the men who {were} upon the face of the earth.)
And the LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out ye three to the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood {in} the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
And he said, Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, {I} the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, {and} will speak to him in a dream.
My servant Moses {is} not so, who {is} faithful in all my house.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: why then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and behold, Miriam {became} leprous, {white} as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and behold, {she was} leprous.
And Aaron said to Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed at the time of his birth.
And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
And the LORD said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received {again} .
And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in {again} .
And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
And Moses, by the commandment of the LORD, sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men {were} heads of the children of Israel.
And these {were} their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Of the tribe of Joseph, {namely} , of the tribe of Manassah, Gaddi the son of Susi.
Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
These {are} the names of the men whom Moses sent to explore the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.
And Moses sent them to explore the land of Canaan, and said to them, Go ye up this {way} southward, and ascend the mountain:
And see the land, what it {is} ; and the people that dwell therein, whether they {are} strong or weak, few or many;
And what the land {is} that they dwell in, whether it {is} good or bad; and what cities {they are} that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
And what the land {is} , whether it {is} fertile or barren, whether there is wood in it, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time {was} the time of the first ripe grapes.
So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
And they ascended by the south, and came to Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, {were} . (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
And they came to the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it between two upon a staff; and {they brought} of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
And they returned from exploring the land after forty days.
And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them, and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
And they told him, and said, We came to the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this {is} the fruit of it.
Nevertheless, the people {are} strong that dwell in the land, and the cities {are} walled, {and} very great: and moreover, we saw the children of Anak there.
The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they {are} stronger than we.
And they brought an evil report of the land which they had searched to the children of Israel, saying, The land through which we have passed to search it, {is} a land that eateth up its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it, {are} men of a great stature.
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, {who come} of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said to them, O that we had died in the land of Egypt! or O that we had died in this wilderness!
And why hath the LORD brought us to this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, {who were} of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
And they spoke to all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, {is} an exceeding good land.
If the LORD delighteth in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they {are} bread for us: their defense has departed from them, and the LORD {is} with us: fear them not.
But all the congregation required to stone them with stones: and the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
And the LORD said to Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shown among them?
I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
And Moses said to the LORD, Then the Egyptians will hear {it} , (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)
And they will tell {it} to the inhabitants of this land: {for} they have heard that thou LORD {art} among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and {that} thy cloud standeth over them, and {that} thou goest before them, by day-time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
Now {if} thou shalt kill {all} this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my LORD be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
The LORD {is} long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing {the guilty} , visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth {generation} .
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt, even until now.
And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
But {as} truly {as} I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
Because all those men who have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land into which he went; and his seed shall possess it.
(Now the Amalekites, and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To-morrow turn you, and pass into the wilderness, by the way of the Red sea.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
How long {shall I bear with} this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
Say to them, {As truly as} I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you:
Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me,
Doubtless ye shall not come into the land {concerning} which I swore to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.
But {as for} you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness.
And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your lewd deeds, until your carcasses shall be wasted in the wilderness.
After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, {even} forty days (each day for a year) shall ye bear your iniquities, {even} forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
I the LORD have said, I will surely do it to all this evil congregation, that are gathered against me: in this wilderness, they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
And the men whom Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing a slander upon the land,
Even those men that brought the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, {who were} of the men that went to search the land, lived {still} .
And Moses told these sayings to all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly.
And they rose early in the morning, and ascended to the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we {are here} , and will go up to the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned.
And Moses said, Why now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.
Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.
For the Amalekites and the Canaanites {are} there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.
But they presumed to go up to the hill-top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, {even} to Hormah.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye shall have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you,
And will make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a free-will-offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savor to the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:
Then shall he that offereth his offering to the LORD bring a meat-offering of a tenth part of flour mingled with the fourth {part} of a hin of oil.
And the fourth {part} of a hin of wine for a drink-offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt-offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.
Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare {for} a meat-offering two tenth parts of flour mingled with the third {part} of a hin of oil.
And for a drink-offering thou shalt offer the third {part} of a hin of wine, {for} a sweet savor to the LORD.
And when thou preparest a bullock {for} a burnt-offering, or {for} a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace-offerings to the LORD:
Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat-offering of three tenth parts of flour mingled with half a hin of oil.
And thou shalt bring for a drink-offering half a hin of wine, {for} an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD:
Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid.
According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number.
All that are born in the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And if a stranger shall sojourn with you, or whoever shall {be} among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do.
One ordinance {shall be both} for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth {with you} , an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye {are} , so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you,
Then it shall be, that when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up a heave-offering to the LORD.
Ye shall offer a cake of the first of your dough {for} a heave-offering: as {ye do} the heave-offering of the threshing-floor, so shall ye heave it.
Of the first of your dough ye shall give to the LORD a heave-offering in your generations.
And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments which the LORD hath spoken to Moses,
{Even} all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded {Moses} , and henceforward among your generations;
Then it shall be, if {aught} shall be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt-offering, for a sweet savor to the LORD, with his meat-offering, and his drink-offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it {is} ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD, and their sin-offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people {were} in ignorance.
And if any soul shall sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she-goat of the first year for a sin-offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, {both for} him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
But the soul that doeth {aught} presumptuously, {whether he be} born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity {shall be} upon him.
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath-day.
And they that found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation.
And they put him in custody, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
And the LORD said to Moses, The man shall surely be put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribin of blue:
And it shall be to you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go astray:
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.
I {am} the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I {am} the LORD your God.
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took {men} :
And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
And they assembled themselves against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, {Ye take} too much upon you, seeing all the congregation {are} holy, every one of them, and the LORD {is} among them: why then do ye raise yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
And when Moses heard {it} , he fell upon his face:
And he spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, Even to-morrow the LORD will show who {are} his, and {who is} holy; and will cause {him} to come near to him: even {him} whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near to him.
This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
And put fire in them, and put incense in them before the LORD to-morrow: and it shall be {that} the man whom the LORD doth choose, he {shall be} holy: {ye take} too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
And Moses said to Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
{Seemeth it but} a small thing to you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
And he hath brought thee near {to him} , and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
For which cause {both} thou and all thy company {are} assembled against the LORD: and what {is} Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: who said, We will not come up:
{Is it} a small thing that thou hast brought us out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
Moreover, thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
And Moses was very wroth, and said to the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
And Moses said to Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to-morrow:
And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also and Aaron each {of you} his censer.
And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense on them, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
And Korah gathered all the congregation against them to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the congregation, saying, Withdraw yourselves from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
And Moses rose up, and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
So they withdrew from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
And Moses said, by this ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works: for {I have} not {done them} of my own mind.
If these men shall die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; {then} the LORD hath not sent me.
But if the LORD shall make a new thing, and the earth shall open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that {appertain} to them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground cleaved asunder that {was} under them:
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that {appertained} to Korah, and {all their} goods.
They, and all that {appertained} to them went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
And all Israel that {were} round about them, fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up {also} .
And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates {for} a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel.
And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, with which they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad {plates for} a covering of the altar:
{To be} a memorial to the children of Israel, that no stranger, who {is} not of the seed of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he may not be as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
And it came to pass when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked towards the tabernacle of the congregation: and behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Remove from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire in it from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah.
And Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of {their} fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers, twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod.
And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod {shall be} for the head of the house of their fathers.
And thou shalt lay them in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
And it shall come to pass, {that} the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, by which they murmur against you.
And Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, {even} twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron {was} among their rods.
And Moses laid the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
And the LORD said to Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again, before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
And Moses did {so} : as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
And the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
Whoever approacheth the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
And the LORD said to Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined to thee, and minister to thee: but thou and thy sons with thee {shall minister} before the tabernacle of witness.
And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.
And they shall be joined to thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh to you.
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you {they are} given {as} a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office {to you as} a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
And the LORD spoke to Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave-offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; to thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
This shall be thine of the most holy things {reserved} from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat-offering of theirs, and every sin-offering of theirs, and every trespass-offering of theirs, which they shall render to me, {shall be} most holy for thee and for thy sons.
In the most holy {place} shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy to thee.
And this {is} thine; the heave-offering of their gift, with all the wave-offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them to thee, and to thy sons, and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the first-fruits of them which they shall offer to the LORD, them have I given to thee.
{And} whatever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring to the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thy house shall eat {of} it.
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring to the LORD, {whether} of men or beast, shall be thine: nevertheless, the first born of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thy estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which {is} twenty gerahs.
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they {are} holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat {for} an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor to the LORD.
And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave-breast and as the right shoulder are thine
All the heave-offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, have I given to thee, and to thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it {is} a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD to thee and to thy seed with thee.
And the LORD spoke to Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I {am} thy part and thy inheritance among the children of Israel.
And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, {even} the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: {It shall be} a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer {as} a heave-offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said to them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Thus speak to the Levites, and say to them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up a heave-offering of it for the LORD, {even} a tenth {part} of the tithe.
And {this} your heave-offering shall be reckoned to you, as though {it were} the corn of the threshing-floor, and as the fullness of the wine-press.
Thus ye also shall offer a heave-offering to the LORD of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give of them the LORD'S heave-offering to Aaron the priest.
Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave-offering of the LORD, of all the best of it, {even} its hallowed part out of it.
Therefore thou shalt say to them, When ye have heaved from it the best of it, then it shall be counted to the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the wine-press.
And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it {is} your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.
And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
This {is} the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, in which {is} no blemish, {and} upon which never came a yoke:
And ye shall give her to Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and {one} shall slay her before his face:
And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times:
And {one} shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn:
And the priest shall take cedar-wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast {it} into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening.
And a man {that is} clean shall gather the ashes of the heifer, and lay {them} without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel, for a water of separation: it {is} a purification for sin.
And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening: and it shall be to the children of Israel, and to the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.
He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he shall not purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
Whoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness {is} yet upon him.
This {is} the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that {is} in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, {is} unclean.
And whoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
And for an unclean {person} they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put to it in a vessel:
And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip {it} in the water, and sprinkle {it} upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
And the clean {person} shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at evening.
But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him: he {is} unclean.
And it shall be a perpetual statute to them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until the evening.
And whatever the unclean {person} toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth {it} shall be unclean until the evening.
Then came the children of Israel, {even} the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month; and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves against Moses and against Aaron.
And the people chid with Moses, and spoke, saying, O that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
And why have ye brought the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
And why have ye conducted us from Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? it {is} no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither {is} there any water to drink.
And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take the rod, and convene thou the assembly, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye to the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth its water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give drink to the congregation and their beasts.
And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
And Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
And Moses lifted his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts {also} .
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
This {is} the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians afflicted us, and our fathers:
And when we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth from Egypt: and behold, we {are} in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink {of} the water of the wells: we will go by the king's {high} -way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
And Edom said to him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
And the children of Israel said to him, We will go by the highway: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without {doing} any thing {else} , go through on my feet.
And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
And the children of Israel, {even} the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came to mount Hor.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Aaron shall be gathered to his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to mount Hor:
And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered {to his people} , and shall die there.
And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they ascended mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, {even} all the house of Israel.
And {when} king Arad the Canaanite, who dwelt in the south, heard that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took {some} of them prisoners.
And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Why have ye brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for {there is} no bread, neither {is there any} water; and our soul lotheth this light bread.
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many people of Israel died.
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
And the LORD said to Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
And the children of Israel moved forward, and pitched in Oboth.
And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim, in the wilderness which {is} before Moab, towards the sun-rising.
From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.
From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which {is} in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon {is} the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,
And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.
And from thence {they went} to Beer: that {is} the well of which the LORD spoke to Moses, Assemble the people, and I will give them water.
Then Israel sung this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye to it:
The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by {the direction of} the lawgiver, with their staffs. And from the wilderness {they went} to Mattanah:
And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:
And from Bamoth {in} the valley, that {is} in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh towards Jeshimon.
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink {of} the waters of the well: {but} we will go along by the king's {high} -way, until we have past thy borders.
And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon collected all his people, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel:
And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon to Jabbok, even to the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon {was} strong.
And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages.
For Heshbon {was} the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even to Arnon.
Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared.
For there has a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, {and} the lords of the high places of Arnon.
Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites.
We have shot at them; Heshbon has perished even to Dibon, and we have laid them waste even to Nophah, which {reacheth} to Medeba.
Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
And Moses sent to explore Jaazer, and they took its villages, and drove out the Amorites that {were} there.
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
And the LORD said to Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.
So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left to him alive: and they possessed his land.
And the children of Israel moved forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side of Jordan {by} Jericho.
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
And Moab was greatly afraid of the people, because they {were} many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all {that are} around us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor {was} king of the Moabites at that time.
He sent messengers therefore to Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which {is} by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there has a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
Come now therefore, I pray thee, Curse for me this people; for they {are} too mighty for me: it may be I shall prevail, {that} we may smite them, and {that} I may drive them out of the land: for I know that he whom thou blessest {is} blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
And he said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak to me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
And God came to Balaam, and said, What men {are} these with thee?
And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent to me, {saying} ,
Behold, {there has} a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse them for me: it may be I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they {are} blessed.
And Balaam rose in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Depart into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming to me:
For I will promote thee to very great honor, and I will do whatever thou sayest to me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse this people for me.
And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say to me more.
And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call thee, rise {and} go with them; but yet the word which I shall say to thee, that shalt thou perform.
And Balaam rose in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants {were} with him.
And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall {being} on this side, and a wall on that side.
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where {was} no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now would I kill thee.
And the ass said to Balaam, {Am} not I thy ass, upon which thou hast rid ever since {I was} thine to this day? was I ever wont to do so to thee? And he said, Nay.
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
And the angel of the LORD said to him, Why hast thou smitten thy ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because {thy} way is perverse before me:
And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displeaseth thee, I will return again.
And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak to thee, that thou shalt speak: So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
And when Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to a city of Moab, which {is} in the border of Arnon, which {is} in the utmost limit.
And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not earnestly send to thee to call thee? why camest thou not to me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?
And Balaam said to Balak, Lo, I have come to thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath-huzoth.
And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that {were} with him.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and conducted him to the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost {part} of the people.
And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on {every} altar a bullock and a ram.
And Balaam said to Balak, Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go: it may be the LORD will come to meet me: and whatever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to a high place.
And God met Balaam: and he said to him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon {every} altar a bullock and a ram.
And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
And he returned to him and lo, he stood by his burnt-sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, {saying} , Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, defy Israel.
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, {whom} the LORD hath not defied?
For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth {part} of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
And Balak said to Balaam, What hast thou done to me? I took thee to curse my enemies, and behold, thou hast blessed {them} altogether.
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
And Balak said to him, Come, I pray thee, with me to another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and from thence curse them for me.
And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on {every} altar.
And he said to Balak, Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I meet {the LORD} yonder.
And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again to Balak, and say thus.
And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt-offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, What hath the LORD spoken?
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise, Balak, and hear; hearken to me, thou son of Zippor:
God {is} not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do {it} ? or hath he spoke, and shall he not make it good?
Behold, I have received {commandment} to bless: and he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.
He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel; the LORD his God {is} with him, and the shout of a king {is} among them.
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn.
Surely {there is} no enchantment against Jacob, neither {is there} any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he shall eat {of} the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
And Balak said to Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not tell thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
And Balak said to Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee to another place; perhaps it will please God that thou mayest from thence curse them for me.
And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, that looketh towards Jeshimon.
And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on {every} altar.
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding {in his tents} according to their tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
He hath said, who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling {into a trance} , but having his eyes open:
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, {and} thy tabernacles, O Israel!
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign-aloes which the LORD hath planted, {and} as cedar-trees beside the waters.
He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed {shall be} in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
God brought him forth from Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce {them} through with his arrows.
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall rouse him? Blessed {is} he that blesseth thee, and cursed {is} he that curseth thee.
And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said to Balaam, I called thee to curse my enemies, and behold, thou hast altogether blessed {them} these three times.
Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee to great honor; but lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honor.
And Balaam said to Balak, Did I not speak also to thy messengers whom thou sentest to me, saying,
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do {either} good or bad of my own mind; {but} what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
And now, behold, I go to my people: come {therefore} , I will advertise thee what this people will do to thy people in the latter days.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
He hath said, who heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, {who} saw the vision of the Almighty, falling {into a trance} , but having his eyes open:
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek {was} the first of the nations, but his latter end {shall be} that he shall perish for ever.
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwelling-place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
Nevertheless, the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asher shall carry thee away captive.
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
And ships {shall come} from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Ashur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
And Balaam arose, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit lewdness with the daughters of Moab.
And they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods: and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods.
And Israel joined himself to Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
And the LORD said to Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined to Baal-peor.
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who {were} weeping {before} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw {it} , he rose from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly: So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, (while he was zealous for my sake among them,) that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
Wherefore say, Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace.
And he shall have it, and his seed after him, {even} the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, {even} that was slain with the Midianitish woman, {was} Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain {was} Cozbi the daughter of Zur; he {was} head over a people, {and} of a chief house in Midian.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Distress the Midianites, and smite them:
For they distress you with their wiles, with which they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian their sister, who was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan {near} Jericho, saying,
{Take the sum of the people} , from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, who went forth from the land of Egypt.
Reuben the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, {of whom cometh} the family of the Hanochites: Of Phallu, the family of the Phalluites:
Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
These {are} the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
And the sons of Phallu; Eliab.
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This {is that} Dathan and Abiram, {who were} famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
These {are} the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggai, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
These {are} the families of the children of Gad, according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
The sons of Judah {were} Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharezites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
These {are} the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, seventy six thousand and five hundred.
{Of} the sons of Issachar after their families: {of} Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
These {are} the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, sixty four thousand and three hundred.
{Of} the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
These {are} the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, sixty thousand and five hundred.
The sons of Joseph after their families {were} Manasseh and Ephraim.
Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead {come} the family of the Gileadites.
These {are} the sons of Gilead: {of} Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
And {of} Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and {of} Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
And {of} Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and {of} Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad {were} Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
These {are} the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
These {are} the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
And these {are} the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
These {are} the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These {are} the sons of Joseph after their families.
The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: {of Ard} , the family of the Ardites: {and} of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
These {are} the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them {were} forty and five thousand and six hundred.
These {are} the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These {are} the families of Dan after their families.
All the families of the Shuhamites according to those that were numbered of them {were} sixty and four thousand and four hundred.
{Of} the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
And the name of the daughter of Asher {was} Sarah.
These {are} the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; {who were} fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
{Of} the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
These {are} the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them, {were} forty and five thousand and four hundred.
These {were} the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance, according to the number of names.
To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given, according to those that were numbered of him.
Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
According to the lot shall the possession of it be divided between many and few.
And these {are} they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.
These {are} the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
And the name of Amram's wife {was} Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom {her mother} bore to Levi in Egypt: and she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
And to Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.
And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
These {are} they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan {near} Jericho.
But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these {are} the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes, and all the congregation, {by} the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that assembled themselves against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.
Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give to us {therefore} a possession among the brethren of our father.
And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
The daughters of Zelophehad speak {what is} right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
And thou shalt speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a man shall die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
And if he shall have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance to his brethren.
And if he shall have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance to his father's brethren.
And if his father shall have no brethren, then ye shall give inheritance to his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be to the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD said to Moses, Ascend this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.
And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered to thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that {is} the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
And Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,
Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation.
Who may go out before them, and who may go in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
And the LORD said to Moses, Take to thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom {is} the spirit, and lay thy hand upon him;
And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: and give him a charge in their sight.
And thou shalt put {some} of thy honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask {counsel} for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, {both} he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, and say to them, My offering, {and} my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, {for} a sweet savor to me, shall ye observe to offer to me in their due season.
And thou shalt say to them, This {is} the offering made by fire which ye shall offer to the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, {for} a continual burnt-offering.
The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at evening.
And a tenth {part} of an ephah of flour for a meat-offering, mingled with a fourth {part} of a hin of beaten oil.
{It is} a continual burnt-offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD.
And the drink-offering of it {shall be} the fourth {part} of a hin for the one lamb: in the holy {place} shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured to the LORD {for} a drink-offering.
And the other lamb shalt thou offer at evening; as the meat-offering of the morning, and as the drink-offering of it, thou shalt offer {it} , a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD.
And on the sabbath-day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth-parts of flour {for} a meat-offering, mingled with oil, and its drink-offering.
{This is} the burnt-offering of every sabbath, besides the continual burnt-offering, and his drink-offering.
And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt-offering to the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
And three tenth-parts of flour {for} a meat-offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth-parts of flour {for} a meat-offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;
And a several tenth-part of flour mingled with oil {for} a meat-offering to one lamb, {for} a burnt-offering of a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD.
And their drink-offering shall be half a hin of wine to a bullock, and the third {part} of a hin to a ram, and a fourth {part} of a hin to a lamb: this {is} the burnt-offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering to the LORD shall be offered, besides the continual burnt-offering, and his drink-offering.
And on the fourteenth day of the first month {is} the passover of the LORD.
And on the fifteenth day of this month {is} the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
On the first day {shall be} a holy convocation; {in it} ye shall do no manner of servile work.
But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire {for} a burnt-offering to the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be to you without blemish:
And their meat-offering {shall be of} flour mingled with oil: three tenth-parts shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth-parts for a ram;
A several tenth-part shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
And one goat {for} a sin-offering, to make an atonement for you.
Ye shall offer these besides the burnt-offering in the morning, which {is} for a continual burnt-offering.
After this manner ye shall offer daily throughout the seven days, the food of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD: it shall be offered besides the continual burnt-offering, and his drink-offering.
And on the seventh day ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.
Also in the day of the first-fruits, when ye bring a new meat-offering to the LORD, after your weeks {are ended} , ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
But ye shall offer the burnt-offering for a sweet savor to the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;
And their meat-offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth-parts to one bullock, two tenth-parts to one ram,
A several tenth part to one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
{And} one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
Ye shall offer {them} besides the continual burnt-offering and his meat-offering (they shall be to you without blemish) and their drink-offerings.
And in the seventh month, on the first {day} of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets to you.
And ye shall offer a burnt-offering for a sweet savor to the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, {and} seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
And their meat-offering {shall be of} flour mingled with oil, three tenth-parts for a bullock, {and} two tenth-parts for a ram,
And one tenth-part for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
And one kid of the goats {for} a sin-offering, to make an atonement for you:
Besides the burnt-offering of the month, and his meat-offering, and the daily burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, according to their manner, for a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD.
And ye shall have on the tenth {day} of this seventh month a holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: {in it} ye shall not do any work.
But ye shall offer a burnt-offering to the LORD {for} a sweet savor; one young bullock, one ram, {and} seven lambs of the first year; they shall be to you without blemish:
And their meat-offering {shall be of} flour mingled with oil, three tenth-parts to a bullock, {and} two tenth-parts to one ram,
A several tenth-part for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
One kid of the goats {for} a sin-offering; besides the sin-offering of atonement, and the continual burnt-offering, and the meat-offering of it, and their drink-offerings.
And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days:
And ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, {and} fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:
And their meat-offering {shall be of} flour mingled with oil, three tenth-parts to every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth-parts to each ram of the two rams,
And a several tenth-part to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:
And one kid of the goats {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
And on the second day {ye shall offer} twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner:
And one kid of the goats {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and its meat-offering, and their drink-offerings.
And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner:
And one goat {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and its meat-offering, and its drink-offering.
And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, {and} fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
Their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner.
And one kid of the goats {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, its meat-offering, and its drink-offering.
And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, {and} fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner:
And one goat {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and its meat-offering, and its drink-offering.
And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, {and} fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner:
And one goat {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, its meat-offering, and its drink-offering.
And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, {and} fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner:
And one goat {for} a sin-offering: besides the continual burnt-offering, its meat-offering, and its drink-offering.
On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: {in it} ye shall do no servile work.
But ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savor to the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
Their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, {shall be} according to their number, after the manner:
And one goat {for} a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and its meat-offering, and its drink-offering.
These {things} ye shall do to the LORD in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your free-will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for your meat-offerings, and for your drink-offerings, and for your peace-offerings.
And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.
And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This {is} the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
If a man shall vow a vow to the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
If a woman also shall vow a vow to the LORD, and bind {herself} by a bond, {being} in her father's house in her youth;
And her father shall hear her vow, and her bond with which she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond with which she hath bound her soul shall stand.
But if her father shall disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows or of her bonds with which she hath bound her soul shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
And if she had a husband when she vowed, or uttered aught from her lips, with which she bound her soul;
And her husband heard {it} , and held his peace at her in the day that he heard {it} : then her vows shall stand, and her bonds with which she bound her soul shall stand.
But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard {it} ; then he shall make of no effect her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, with which she bound her soul: and the LORD shall forgive her.
But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, with which they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.
And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;
And her husband heard {it} , and held his peace at her, {and} disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond with which she bound her soul shall stand.
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard {them} ; {then} whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
But if her husband altogether holds his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which {are} upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard {them} .
But if he shall any way make them void after that he hath heard {them} ; then he shall bear her iniquity.
These {are} the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, {being yet} in her youth in her father's house.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered to thy people.
And Moses spoke to the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves for the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD on Midian.
Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of {every} tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of {every} tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.
And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
And they slew the kings of Midian, besides the rest of them that were slain; {namely} , Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
And the children of Israel took {all} the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
And they burnt all their cities in which they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.
And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, {both} of men and of beasts.
And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the children of Israel, to the camp at the plains of Moab, which {are} by Jordan {near} Jericho.
And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.
And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, {with} the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, who came from the battle.
And Moses said to them, Have ye saved all the women alive?
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD, in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
But all the female children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.
And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whoever hath killed any person, and whoever hath touched any slain, purify {both} yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.
And purify all {your} raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' {hair} , and all things made of wood.
And Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, This {is} the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses;
Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make {it} go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.
And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Take the sum of the prey that was taken, {both} of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation:
And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:
And levy a tribute to the LORD of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, {both} of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:
Take {it} of their half, and give {it} to Eleazar the priest, {for} a heave-offering of the LORD.
And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them to the Levites, who keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the booty, {being} the rest of the prey which the men of war had taken, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,
And seventy two thousand beeves,
And sixty one thousand asses,
And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.
And the half {which was} the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep:
And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and seventy five.
And the beeves {were} thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute {was} seventy two.
And the asses {were} thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the LORD'S tribute {was} sixty one.
And the persons {were} sixteen thousand, of which the LORD'S tribute {was} thirty and two persons.
And Moses gave the tribute, {which was} the LORD'S heave-offering, to Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
(Now the half {that pertained to} the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand {and} seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
And thirty and six thousand beeves,
And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
And sixteen thousand persons;)
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, {both} of man and of beast, and gave them to the Levites, who kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the officers who {were} over thousands of the hosts, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near to Moses:
And they said to Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war who {are} under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us.
We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath obtained of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, ear-rings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, {even} all wrought jewels.
And all the gold of the offering that they offered to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.
({For} the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, {for} a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that behold, the place {was} a place for cattle;
The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the congregation, saying,
Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
{Even} the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, {is} a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:
Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given to thy servants for a possession, {and} bring us not over Jordan.
And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?
And why discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.
And the LORD'S anger was kindled the same time, and he swore, saying,
Surely none of the men that came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the LORD was consumed.
And behold, ye have risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD towards Israel.
For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and he will destroy all this people.
And they came near to him, and said, We will build sheep-folds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities, because of the inhabitants of the land.
We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.
For we will not inherit with them on the other side of Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance hath fallen to us on this side of Jordan eastward.
And Moses said to them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him,
And the land shall be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.
Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead:
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.
So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel:
And Moses said to them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed for battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:
But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said to thy servants, so will we do.
We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan {may be} ours.
And Moses gave to them, {even} to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with its cities in the borders, {even} the cities of the country around.
And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,
And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fortified cities: and folds for sheep.
And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names to the cities which they built.
And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite who {was} in it.
And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt in it.
And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its small towns, and called them Havoth-jair.
And Nobah went and took Kenath, and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
These {are} the journeys of the children of Israel, who went forth from the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.
And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these {are} their journeys according to their goings out.
And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
For the Egyptians buried all {their} first-born, whom the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.
And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and encamped in Succoth.
And they departed from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which {is} in the edge of the wilderness.
And they removed from Etham, and turned again to Pi-hahiroth, which {is} before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.
And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah.
And they removed from Marah, and came to Elim: and in Elim {were} twelve fountains of water, and seventy palm-trees; and they encamped there.
And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.
And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.
And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah.
And they departed from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush.
And they removed from Alush, and encamped at Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink.
And they departed from Rephidim, and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai.
And they removed from the desert of Sinai, and encamped at Kibroth-hattaavah.
And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth.
And they departed from Hazeroth, and encamped in Rithmah.
And they departed from Rithmah, and encamped at Rimmon-parez.
And they departed from Rimmon-parez, and encamped in Libnah.
And they removed from Libnah, and encamped at Rissah.
And they journeyed from Rissah, and encamped in Kehelathah.
And they went from Kehelathah, and encamped in mount Shapher.
And they removed from mount Shapher, and encamped in Haradah.
And they removed from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth.
And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath.
And they departed from Tahath, and encamped at Tarah.
And they removed from Tarah, and encamped in Mithcah.
And they went from Mithcah, and encamped in Hashmonah.
And they departed from Hashmonah, and encamped at Moseroth.
And they departed from Moseroth, and encamped in Bene-jaakan.
And they removed from Bene-jaakan, and encamped at Hor-hagidgad.
And they went from Hor-hagidgad, and encamped in Jotbathah.
And they removed from Jotbathah, and encamped at Ebronah.
And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Ezion-gaber.
And they removed from Ezion-gaber, and encamped in the wilderness of Zin, which {is} Kadesh.
And they removed from Kadesh, and encamped in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.
And Aaron the priest ascended mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel departed from the land of Egypt, in the first {day} of the fifth month.
And Aaron {was} a hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.
And king Arad the Canaanite who dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
And they departed from mount Hor, and encamped in Zalmonah.
And they departed from Zalmonah, and encamped in Punon.
And they departed from Punon, and encamped in Oboth.
And they departed from Oboth, and encamped in Ije-abarim, in the border of Moab.
And they departed from Iim, and encamped in Dibon-gad.
And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim.
And they removed from Almon-diblathaim, and encamped on the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.
And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by Jordan {near} Jericho.
And they encamped by Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth {even} to Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.
And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan {near} Jericho, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye have passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite demolish all their high places:
And ye shall dispossess {the inhabitants} of the land, and dwell in it; for I have given you the land to possess it.
And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's {inheritance} shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them {shall be} prickles in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall harass you in the land in which ye dwell.
Moreover, it shall come to pass, {that} I shall do to you as I thought to do to them.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this {is} the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, {even} the land of Canaan with its borders.)
Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the border of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:
And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: its limit shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon:
And the border shall form a circuit from Azmon to the river of Egypt, and the limits of it shall be at the sea.
And {as for} the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border.
And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall designate for you mount Hor:
From mount Hor ye shall designate {your border} to the entrance of Hamath; and the limits of the border shall be at Zedad:
And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the limits of it shall be at Hazar-enan: this shall be your north border.
And ye shall designate your east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham:
And the limit shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the limits of it shall be at the salt sea: This shall be your land with its limits on all sides.
And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This {is} the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give to the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
For the tribe of the children of Reuben, according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received {their inheritance} ; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance:
The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side of Jordan {near} Jericho eastward, towards the sun-rising.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
These {are} the names of the men who shall divide the land to you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.
And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.
And the names of the men {are} these: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli.
The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.
These {are they} whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan {near} Jericho, saying,
Command the children of Israel, that they give to the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give {also} to the Levites suburbs for the cities around them.
And they shall have the cities to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, {shall reach} from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits on all sides.
And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city {shall be} in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
And among the cities which ye shall give to the Levites {there shall be} six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the man-slayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
{So} all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites {shall be} forty and eight cities: them {shall ye give} with their suburbs.
And the cities which ye shall give {shall be} of the possession of the children of Israel: from {them that have} many ye shall give many; but from {them that have} few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities to the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye have passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
Then ye shall appoint for you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, who killeth any person at unawares.
And they shall be to you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the man-slayer may not die, until he stands before the congregation in judgment.
And of these cities which ye shall give, six cities shall ye have for refuge.
Ye shall give three cities on this side of Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, {which} shall be cities of refuge.
These six cities shall be a refuge, {both} for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
And if he shall smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he shall die, he {is} a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
And if he shall smite him by throwing a stone, by which he may die, and he shall die, he {is} a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
Or {if} he shall smite him with a hand-weapon of wood, with which he may die, and he shall die, he {is} a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
The avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
But if he shall thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying in wait, that he die.
Or in enmity shall smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote {him} shall surely be put to death; {for} he {is} a murderer: the avenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
But if he shall thrust him suddenly without enmity, or shall have cast upon him any thing without laying in wait,
Or with any stone, by which a man may die, seeing {him} not, and shall cast {it} upon him, that he die, and {was} not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments:
And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he had fled: and he shall abide in it to the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he had fled;
And the avenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the avenger of blood shall kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
So these {things} shall be for a statute of judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
Whoever killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person {to cause him} to die.
Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, who {is} guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that hath fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
So ye shall not pollute the land in which ye {are} : for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, in which I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spoke before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:
And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.
And if they shall be married to any of the sons of the {other} tribes of the children of Israel, then will their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be put to the inheritance of the tribe into which they are received: so it will be taken from the lot of our inheritance.
And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then will their inheritance be put to the inheritance of the tribe into which they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.
And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.
This {is} the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.
So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.
Neither shall the inheritance remove from {one} tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.
Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:
For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father's brothers' sons:
{And} they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.
These {are} the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan {near} Jericho.
These {are} the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on the east side of Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against Suf, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
({There are} eleven days {journey} from Horeb by the way of mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.)
And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first {day} of the month, {that} Moses spoke to the children of Israel, according to all that the LORD had given him in commandment to them;
After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:
On the east side of Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,
The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:
Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and to all {the places} nigh to it, in the plain, on the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea-side, to the land of the Canaanites, and to Lebanon, to the great river, the river Euphrates.
Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them and to their seed after them.
And I spoke to you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and behold, ye {are} this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.
(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye {are} , and bless you, as he hath promised you!)
How can I alone bear your encumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
Take ye wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken {is} good {for us} to do.
So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.
And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear {the causes} between your brethren, and judge righteously between {every} man and his brother, and the stranger {that is} with him.
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; {but} ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment {is} God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.
And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.
And I said to you, Ye have come to the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give to us.
Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up {and} possess {it} , as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said to thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
And ye came near to me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall explore the land for us, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:
And they turned and ascended the mountain, and came to the valley of Eshcol, and explored it.
And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought {it} down to us, and brought us word again, and said, {It is} a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
Notwithstanding, ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth from the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people {are} greater and taller than we; the cities {are} great and walled up to heaven; and moreover, we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
Then I said to you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
The LORD your God who goeth before you; he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how the LORD thy God bore thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
Who went in the way before you, to search out for you a place to pitch your tents {in} , in fire by night, to show you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and swore, saying,
Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I swore to give to your fathers,
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trod upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.
Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.
{But} Joshua the son of Nun, who standeth before thee, he shall go in thither. Encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Moreover, your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and to them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
But {as for} you, turn ye, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Then ye answered and said to me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to ascend the hill.
And the LORD said to me, Say to them, Go not up, neither fight; for I {am} not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.
So I spoke to you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and presumptuously ascended the hill.
And the Amorites, who dwelt on that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, {even} to Hormah.
And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear to you.
So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according to the days that ye abode {there} .
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spoke to me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.
And the LORD spoke to me, saying,
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
And command thou the people, saying, Ye {are} to pass through the border of your brethren the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you: therefore take ye good heed to yourselves:
Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot-breadth; because I have given mount Seir to Esau {for} a possession.
Ye shall buy food of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.
For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God {hath been} with thee: thou hast lacked nothing.
And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
And the LORD said to me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land {for} a possession; because I have given Ar to the children of Lot {for} a possession.
(The Emims dwelt in it in times past, a people great, and many, and tall as the Anakims;
Who also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
The Horims also dwelt formerly in Seir, but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.)
Now rise, {said I} , and pass over the brook Zered: and we went over the brook Zered.
And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we passed the brook Zered, {was} thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted from among the host, as the LORD swore to them.
For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.
So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,
That the LORD spoke to me, saying,
Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:
And {when} thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon {any} possession; because I have given it to the children of Lot {for} a possession.
(That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt in it in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
A people great, and many, and tall as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:
As he did to the children of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even to this day:
And the Avims who dwelt in Hazerim {even} to Azzah, the Caphtorims, who came forth from Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
Arise ye, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thy hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess {it} , and contend with him in battle.
This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations {that are} under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.
And I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the highway, I will neither turn to the right hand nor to the left.
Thou shalt sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet;
(As the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did to me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as {appeareth} this day.
And the LORD said to me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.
And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones of every city, we left none to remain.
Only the cattle we took for a prey to ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.
From Aroer, which {is} by the brink of the river of Arnon, and {from} the city that {is} by the river, even to Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all to us:
Only to the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, {nor} to any place of the river Jabbok, nor to the cities on the mountains, nor to whatever the LORD our God forbad us.
Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
And the LORD said to me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.
So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.
And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
All these cities {were} fortified with high walls, gates, and bars; besides unwalled towns a great number.
And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.
But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.
And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that {was} on this side of Jordan, from the river of Arnon to mount Hermon;
({Which} Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, to Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead {was} a bedstead of iron; {is} it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits {was} the length of it, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
And this land, {which} we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which {is} by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, {being} the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.
Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob, to the borders of Geshuri, and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashan-havoth-jair, to this day.
And I gave Gilead to Machir.
And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even to the river Jabbok, {which is} the border of the children of Ammon:
The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast {of it} , from Chinnereth even to the sea of the plain, {even} the salt-sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah eastward.
And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all {that are} meet for the war.
But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, ({for} I know that ye have many cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;
Until the LORD shall have given rest to your brethren, as well as to you, and {until} they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and {then} shall ye return every man to his possession which I have given you.
And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thy eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done to these two kings: so shall the LORD do to all the kingdoms whither thou passest.
Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
O LORD God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God {is there} in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?
I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that {is} beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said to me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more to me of this matter.
Ascend to the top of Pisgah, and lift up thy eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold with thy eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor.
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, to do {them} , that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Ye shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish {aught} from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
But ye who adhered to the LORD your God, {are} alive every one of you this day.
Behold, I have taught you statutes, and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Keep therefore and do {them} ; for this {is} your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which will hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation {is} a wise and understanding people.
For what nation {is there so} great, which {hath} God {so} nigh to them, as the LORD our God {is} in all {things that} we call upon him {for} ?
And what nation {is there so} great, that hath statutes and judgments {so} righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou shouldst forget the things which thy eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them to thy sons, and thy sons' sons:
{Specially} the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, Assemble the people to me, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and {that} they may teach their children.
And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.
And the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only {ye heard} a voice.
And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, {even} ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.
Take ye therefore good heed to yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day {that} the LORD spoke to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire;
Lest ye corrupt {yourselves} , and make to you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
The likeness of any beast that {is} on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that {is} in the waters beneath the earth:
And lest thou shouldst lift up thy eyes to heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, {even} all the host of heaven, shouldst be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided to all nations under the whole heaven.
But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you out of the iron furnace, {even} from Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as {ye are} this day.
Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not enter that good land which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance:
But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.
Take heed to yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, {or} the likeness of any {thing} which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
For the LORD thy God {is} a consuming fire, {even} a jealous God.
When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt {yourselves} , and make a graven image, {or} the likeness of any {thing} , and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from the land to which ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong {your} days upon it, but shall be utterly destroyed.
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find {him} , if thou shalt seek him with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things have come upon thee, {even} in the latter days, if thou shalt turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient to his voice;
(For the LORD thy God {is} a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, which he swore to them.
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and {ask} from the one side of heaven to the other, whether there hath been {any such thing} as this great thing {is} , or hath been heard like it?
Did {ever} people hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
Or hath God essayed to go {and} take him a nation from the midst of {another} nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an out-stretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
To thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that the LORD he {is} God; {there is} none besides him.
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee; and upon earth he showed thee his great fire; and thou heardst his words from the midst of the fire.
And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out of Egypt in his sight with his mighty power.
To drive out nations from before thee, greater and mightier than thou {art} , to bring thee in, to give thee their land {for} an inheritance, as {it is} this day.
Know therefore this day, and consider {it} in thy heart, that the LORD he {is} God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: {there is} none else.
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes and his commandments which I command thee this day, that it may be well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong {thy} days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
Then Moses set apart three cities on the side of Jordan, towards the sun-rising;
That the slayer might flee thither, who should kill his neighbor unawares, and when he had not hated him in times past; and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live:
{Namely} , Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.
And this {is} the law which Moses set before the children of Israel.
These {are} the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spoke to the children of Israel, after they came forth from Egypt,
On the east side of Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they had come forth from Egypt:
And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, who {were} on the side of Jordan, towards the sun-rising;
From Aroer, which {is} by the bank of the river Arnon, even to mount Sion, which {is} Hermon,
And all the plain on the side of Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.
And Moses called all Israel, and said to them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, {even} us, who {are} all of us here alive this day.
The LORD talked with you face to face on the mount, from the midst of the fire,
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up upon the mount;) saying,
I {am} the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make for thee {any} graven image, {or} any likeness {of any thing} that {is} in heaven above, or that {is} on the earth beneath, or that {is} in the waters beneath the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God {am} a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth {generation} of them that hate me,
And showing mercy to thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold {him} guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Keep the sabbath-day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day {is} the sabbath of the LORD thy God: {in it} thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy ox, nor thy ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that {is} within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and {that} the LORD thy God brought thee out thence with a mighty hand and by an out-stretched arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath-day.
Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may be well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Neither shalt thou steal.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any {thing} that {is} thy neighbor's.
These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly on the mount from the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them to me.
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near to me, {even} all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice from the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.
For who {is there of} all flesh that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we {have} , and lived?
Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say; and speak thou to us all that the LORD our God shall speak to thee; and we will hear {it} , and do {it} .
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spoke to me; and the LORD said to me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoke to thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Go, say to them, Return to your tents again.
But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak to thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do {them} in the land which I give them to possess it.
Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and {that it may be} well with you, and {that} ye may prolong {your} days in the land which ye shall possess.
Now these {are} the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye may do {them} in the land whither ye go to possess it:
That thou mayst fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life: and that thy days may be prolonged.
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do {it} ; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God {is} one LORD:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thy eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he swore to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou didst not build,
And houses full of all good {things} , which thou didst not fill, and wells digged, which thou didst not dig, vineyards and olive-trees, which thou didst not plant; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
{Then} beware lest thou shouldst forget the LORD, who brought thee forth from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which {are} around you;
(For the LORD thy God {is} a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God should be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted {him} in Massah.
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
And thou shalt do {that which is} right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to thy fathers,
To cast out all thy enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
{And} when thy son shall ask thee in time to come, saying, What {mean} the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?
Then thou shalt say to thy son, We were Pharoah's bond-men in Egypt: and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:
And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and distressing, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:
And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore to our fathers.
And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as {it is} at this day.
And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perrizites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee, thou shalt smite them {and} utterly destroy them, thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them:
Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give to his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take to thy son.
For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
For thou {art} a holy people to the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people to himself, above all people that {are} upon the face of the earth.
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye {were} the fewest of all people:
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn to your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bond-men, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he {is} God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations:
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God will keep to thee the covenant and the mercy which he swore to thy fathers:
And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless thy children, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he swore to thy fathers to give thee.
Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt (which thou knowest) upon thee; but will lay them upon all {them} that hate thee.
And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver to thee; thy eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that {will be} a snare to thee.
If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations {are} more than I, how can I dispossess them?
Thou shalt not be afraid of them: {but} shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did to Pharaoh, and to all Egypt;
The great temptations which thy eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the out-stretched arm, by which the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do to all the people of whom thou art afraid.
Moreover, the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, shall be destroyed.
Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God {is} among you, a mighty God and terrible.
And the LORD thy God will drive out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
But the LORD thy God shall deliver them to thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they are destroyed.
And he shall deliver their kings into thy hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou shalt have destroyed them.
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold {that is} on them, nor take {it} to thee, lest thou shouldst be snared in it: for it {is} an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thy house, lest thou shouldst be a cursed thing like it: {but} thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it {is} a cursed thing.
All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers.
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, {and} to prove thee, to know what {was} in thy heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments, or not.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every {word} that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Thy raiment hath not become old upon thee, neither hath thy foot swelled these forty years.
Thou shalt also consider in thy heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, {so} the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains, and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates, a land of olive-oil, and honey;
A land in which thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any {thing} in it, a land whose stones {are} iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Lest {when} thou hast eaten, and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt {in them} ;
And {when} thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold are increased, and all that thou hast is increased;
Then thy heart shall be lifted up, and thou shalt forget the LORD thy God (who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;)
Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, {in which were} fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drouth, where {there was} no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.
And thou shalt say in thy heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for {it is} he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to thy fathers, as {it is} this day.
And it shall be, if thou shalt at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.
Hear, O Israel: Thou {art} to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fortified up to heaven,
A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and {of whom} thou hast heard {it said} , Who can stand before the children of Anak!
Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God {is} he who goeth over before thee; {as} a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said to thee.
Speak not thou in thy heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thy heart dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations, the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD swore to thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou {art} a stiff-necked people.
Remember, {and} forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart from the land of Egypt, until ye came to this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.
Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.
When I ascended the mount, to receive the tables of stone, {even} the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither ate bread, nor drank water:
And the LORD delivered to me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them {was written} according to all the words which the LORD spoke with you in the mount, from the midst of the fire, in the day of the assembly.
And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, {that} the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, {even} the tables of the covenant.
And the LORD said to me, Arise, go down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted {themselves} ; they are quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
Furthermore, the LORD spoke to me, saying, I have seen this people, and behold, it {is} a stiff-necked people:
Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.
So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant {were} in my two hands.
And I looked, and behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, {and} had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly from the way which the LORD had commanded you.
And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes.
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I neither ate bread, nor drank water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
(For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you.) But the LORD hearkened to me at that time also.
And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.
And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, {and} ground {it} very small, {even} until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust of it into the brook that descended from the mount.
And at Taberah, and at Massah, and Kibroth-hattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.
Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.
Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down {at the first} ; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.
I prayed therefore to the LORD, and said, O LORD God, destroy not thy people and thy inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not to the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:
Lest the land from which thou hast brought us should say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.
Yet they {are} thy people and thy inheritance which thou hast brought out by thy mighty power and by thy out-stretched arm.
At that time the LORD said to me, Hew thee two tables of stone like the first, and come up to me upon the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou didst break, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
And I made an ark {of} shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like the first, and ascended the mount, having the two tables in my hand.
And he wrote on the tables according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spoke to you in the mount, from the midst of the fire, in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them to me.
And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they are, as the LORD commanded me.
And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jakan to Mosira: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.
From thence they journeyed to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.
At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD {is} his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
And I stayed in the mount, according to the first-time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened to me at that time also, {and} the LORD would not destroy thee.
And the LORD said to me, Arise, take {thy} journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give to them.
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens belongeth to the LORD thy God, the earth {also} , with all that it contains.
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, {even} you above all people, as {it is} this day.
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
For the LORD your God {is} God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
He executeth the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
He {is} thy praise, and he {is} thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things which thy eyes have seen.
Thy fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.
And know ye this day: for {I speak} not with your children who have not known, and who have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his out-stretched arm,
And his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt, to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and to all his land;
And what he did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and {how} the LORD hath destroyed them to this day;
And what he did to you in the wilderness, until ye came to this place;
And what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that {was} in their possession, in the midst of all Israel:
But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.
Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;
And that ye may prolong {your} days in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them, and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, {is} not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou didst sow thy seed, and water {it} with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:
But the land, whither ye go to possess it, {is} a land of hills and valleys, {and} drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God {are} always upon it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year.
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently to my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
That I will give {you} the rain of your land in its due season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine and thy oil.
And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
And {then} the LORD'S wrath shall be kindled against you, and he shall shut up the heaven, that there shall be no rain, and the land shall not yield her fruit; and {lest} ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
And ye shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thy house, and upon thy gates:
That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave to him;
Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
Every place on which the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the uttermost sea shall your limit be.
There shall no man be able to stand before you: {for} the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you, and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said to you.
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse:
A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day;
And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods which ye have not known.
And it shall come to pass when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in to the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.
{Are} they not on the other side of Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down in the land of the Canaanites, who dwell in the plain over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell in it.
And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day.
These {are} the statutes and judgments which ye shall observe to do in the land which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places in which the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.
Ye shall not do so to the LORD your God.
But the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, {even} his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
And thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave-offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your free-will-offerings, and the firstlings of your herds, and of your flocks:
And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand to, ye and your households, in which the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
Ye shall not do after all {the things} that we do here this day, every man whatever {is} right in his own eyes.
For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the LORD your God giveth you.
But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and {when} he giveth you rest from all your enemies on every side, so that ye dwell in safety:
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow to the LORD:
And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that {is} within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.
Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest:
But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.
Notwithstanding, thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatever thy soul desireth, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat of it as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.
Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy free-will-offerings, or heave-offering of thy hand:
But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that {is} within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands to.
Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatever thy soul desireth.
If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there, shall be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatever thy soul desireth.
Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat {of} them alike.
Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood {is} the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.
Thou shalt not eat it: thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water.
Thou shalt not eat it; that it may be well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do {that which is} right in the sight of the LORD.
Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go to the place which the LORD shall choose:
And thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may be well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest {that which is} good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Thou shalt not do so to the LORD thy God; for every abomination to the LORD which he hateth have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Whatever thing I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add to it, nor diminish from it.
If there shall arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and give thee a sign or a wonder.
And the sign or the wonder shall come to pass, of which he spoke to thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Thou shalt not hearken to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave to him.
And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn {you} away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou remove the evil from the midst of thee.
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, who {is} as thy own soul, shall entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
{Namely} , of the gods of the people who {are} around you, nigh to thee, or far off from thee, from {one} end of the earth even to the {other} end of the earth;
Thou shalt not consent to him, nor hearken to him; neither shall thy eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:
But thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
And thou shalt stone him with stones that he shall die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage.
And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is, among you.
If thou shalt hear, in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,
{Certain} men, the children of Belial, have gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and behold, {if it is} truth, {and} the thing certain, {that} such abomination is wrought among you;
Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that {is} in it, and its cattle, with the edge of the sword.
And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of its street, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil of it every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be a heap forever; it shalt not be built again.
And there shall cleave naught of the cursed thing to thy hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn to thy fathers;
When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do {that which is} right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.
Ye {are} the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
For thou {art} a holy people to the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people to himself, above all the nations that {are} upon the earth.
Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
These {are} the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow-deer, and the wild-goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, {and} cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
Nevertheless, these ye shall not eat, of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; {therefore} they {are} unclean to you.
And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, {is} unclean to you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.
These ye shall eat, of all that {are} in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
And whatever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it {is} unclean to you.
{Of} all clean birds ye shall eat.
But these {are they} of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
And the glede, and the kite, and the vultur after his kind,
And every raven after his kind,
And the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
And the pelican, and the gier-eagle, and the cormorant,
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
And every creeping animal that flieth {is} unclean to you: they shall not be eaten.
{But of} all clean fowls ye may eat.
Ye shall not eat {of} any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it to the stranger that {is} in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it to an alien: for thou {art} a holy people to the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thy oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
And if the way is too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; {or} if the place is too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
Then shalt thou turn {it} into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go to the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thy household.
And the Levite that {is} within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thy increase the same year, and shalt lay {it} up within thy gates:
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, who {are} within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.
At the end of {every} seven years thou shalt make a release.
And this {is} the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth {aught} to his neighbor shall release {it} ; he shall not exact {it} of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.
Of a foreigner thou mayest exact {it again} : but {that} which is thine with thy brother thy hand shall release:
Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance to possess it:
Only if thou shalt carefully hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
For the LORD thy God shall bless thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend to many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
If there shall be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD the God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother:
But thou shalt open thy hand wide to him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, {in that} which he wanteth.
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thy eye shall be evil against thy poor brother, and thou shalt give him naught; and he shall cry to the LORD against thee, and it shall be sin to thee.
Thou shalt surely give him, and thy heart shall not be grieved when thou givest to him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thy hand to.
For the poor shall never cease from the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thy hand wide to thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
{And} if thy brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, shall be sold to thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him depart empty:
Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy wine-press: {of that} with which the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give to him.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bond-man in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing this day.
And it shall be, if he shall say to thee, I will not leave thee; because he loveth thee and thy house, because he is well with thee;
Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust {it} through his ear into the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also to thy maid-servant thou shalt do likewise.
It shall not seem hard to thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been of double the worth of a hired servant {to thee} , in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
Thou shalt eat {it} before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.
And if there is {any} blemish in it, {as if it is} lame, or blind, {or hath} any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it to the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean {person shall eat it} alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.
Only thou shalt not eat its blood; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.
Observe the month Abib, and keep the passover to the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth from Egypt by night.
Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover to the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread with it, {even} the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth from the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth from the land of Egypt, all the days of thy life.
And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy borders seven days; neither shall there {any thing} of the flesh, which thou didst sacrifice the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning.
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at evening, at the setting of the sun, at the time of thy departure from Egypt.
And thou shalt roast and eat {it} in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go to thy tents.
Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day {shall be} a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: {in it} thou shalt do no work.
Seven weeks shalt thou number to thee: begin to number the seven weeks from {the time when} thou beginnest {to put} the sickle to the corn.
And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks to the LORD thy God with a tribute of a free-will-offering of thy hand, which thou shalt give {to the LORD thy God} , according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that {is} within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that {are} among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bond-man in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn, and thy wine.
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that {are} within thy gates:
Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast to the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy increase, and in all the works of thy hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Every man {shall give} as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near to the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make for thee.
Neither shalt thou set thee up {any} image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
Thou shalt not sacrifice to the LORD thy God {any} bullock, or sheep, in which is blemish, {or} any evil favoredness: for that {is} an abomination to the LORD thy God.
If there shall be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,
And hath gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
And it shall be told thee, and thou hast heard {of it} , and inquired diligently, and behold, {it is} true, {and} the thing certain, {that} such abomination is wrought in Israel:
Then shalt thou bring forth to thy gates that man or that woman, who have committed that wicked thing, {even} that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; {but} at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt remove the evil from among you.
If there shall arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, {being} matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and go up to the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
And thou shalt come to the priests the Levites, and to the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment:
And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall show thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:
According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall show thee, {to} the right hand, nor {to} the left.
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken to the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or to the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt remove the evil from Israel.
And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell in it, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that {are} about me;
Thou shalt in any wise set {him} king over thee whom the LORD thy God shall choose: {one} from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who {is} not thy brother.
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said to you, ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart may turn not away: neither shall he greatly accumulate to himself silver and gold.
And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of {that which is} before the priests the Levites.
And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
That his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment {to} the right hand or {to} the left: to the end that he may prolong {his} days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
The priests the Levites, {and} all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.
Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD {is} their inheritance, as he hath said to them.
And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether ox or sheep; and they shall give to the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
The first-fruit {also} of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thy oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
And if a Levite shall come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind to the place which the LORD shall choose;
Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites {do} , who stand there before the LORD.
They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found among you {any one} that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, {or} that useth divination, {or} an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things {are} an abomination to the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened to observers of times, and to diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so {to do} .
The LORD thy God will raise up to thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like to me; to him ye shall hearken.
According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I may not die.
And the LORD said to me, They have well {spoken of that} which they have spoken.
I will raise up to them a prophet from among their brethren, like thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
And it shall come to pass, {that} whoever will not hearken to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require {it} of him.
But the prophet, who shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
And if thou shalt say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing doth not follow, nor come to pass, that {is} the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, {but} the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;
Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the limits of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
And this {is} the case of the slayer, who shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoever killeth his neighbor ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand maketh a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and falleth upon his neighbor, that he dieth: he shall flee to one of these cities, and live:
Lest the avenger of blood shall pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he {was} not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
And if the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy limits, as he hath sworn to thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give to thy fathers;
If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, besides these three:
That innocent blood may not be shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance, and {so} blood be upon thee.
But if any man shall hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally, that he dieth, and he shall flee into one of these cities:
Then the elders of his city shall send and bring him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
Thy eye shall not pity him, but thou shall remove {the guilt of} innocent blood from Israel, that it may be well with thee.
Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark, which they of old time have set in thy inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
If a false witness shall rise up against any man to testify against him {that which is} wrong;
Then both the men between whom the controversy {is} shall stand before the LORD, before the priests, and the judges, who shall be in those days;
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and behold, {if} the witness {is} a false witness, {and} hath testified falsely against his brother;
Then shall ye do to him, as he had thought to do to his brother: so shalt thou remove the evil from among you.
And those who remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
And thy eye shall not pity; {but} life {shall go} for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
When thou goest out to battle against thy enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, {and} a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God {is} with thee, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt.
And it shall be when ye are come nigh to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
And shall say to them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day to battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
For the LORD your God {is} he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man {is there} that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he should die in the battle, and another man should dedicate it.
And what man {is he} that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not {yet} eaten of it? let him {also} go and return to his house, lest he should die in the battle, and another man should eat of it.
And what man {is there} that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return to his house, lest he should die in battle, and another man should take her.
And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, What man {is there that is} fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren's heart should faint as well as his heart.
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
When thou comest nigh to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it.
And it shall be, if it shall make thee answer of peace, and open to thee, then it shall be, {that} all the people {that are} found therein, shall be tributaries to thee, and they shall serve thee.
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thy hands, thou shalt smite every male of it with the edge of the sword:
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, {even} all the spoil of it, shalt thou take to thyself: and thou shalt eat the spoil of thy enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
Thus shalt thou do to all the cities {which are} very distant from thee, which {are} not of the cities of these nations.
But of the cities of these people which the LORD thy God doth give thee {for} an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
But thou shalt utterly destroy them, {namely} , the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:
That they may not teach you to do after all their abominations which they have done to their gods; so would ye sin against the LORD your God.
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees of it by forcing an ax against them; for thou mayest eat of them: and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field {is} man's {life} ) to employ {them} in the siege:
Only the trees which thou knowest that they {are} not trees for food, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it shall be subdued.
If {one} shall be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, {and} it be not known who hath slain him:
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure to the cities which {are} around him that is slain:
And it shall be {that} the city {which is} next to the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer which hath not been wrought with, {and} which hath not drawn in the yoke;
And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to a rough valley, which is neither tilled nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley;
And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near (for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister to him, and to bless in the name of the LORD) and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be {tried} ;
And all the elders of that city {that are} next to the slain {man} , shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen {it} .
Be merciful, O LORD, to thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood to the charge of thy people Israel. And the blood shall be forgiven them.
So shalt thou remove the {guilt of} innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do {that which is} right in the sight of the LORD.
When thou goest forth to war against thy enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thy hands, and thou hast taken them captive,
And {thou} seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire to her, that thou wouldest have her for thy wife:
Then thou shalt bring her home to thy house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails:
And she shall put off from her the raiment of her captivity, and shall remain in thy house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that, thou shalt go in to her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.
And it shall be, if thou shalt have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money; thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.
If a man shall have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have borne him children, {both} the beloved and the hated; and {if} the first-born son be hers that was hated:
Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit {that} which he hath, {that} he may not prefer the son of the beloved first-born, before the son of the hated, {which is indeed} the first-born:
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated {for} the first-born, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he {is} the beginning of his strength; the right of the first-born {is} his.
If a man shall have a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and {who} , when they have chastened him, will not hearken to them:
Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out to the elders of his city, and to the gate of his place;
And they shall say to the elders of his city, This our son {is} stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; {he is} a glutton, and a drunkard.
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he may die: so shalt thou remove evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
And if a man shall have committed a sin worthy of death, and he must be put to death, and thou shalt hang him on a tree:
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged {is} accursed of God;) that thy land may not be defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance.
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again to thy brother.
And if thy brother shall not {be} nigh to thee, or if thou shalt not know him, then thou shalt bring it to thy own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother shall seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost things of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift {them} up again.
A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so {are} abomination to the LORD thy God.
If a bird's nest shall chance to be before thee in the way on any tree, or on the ground, {whether with} young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:
{But} thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and {that} thou mayest prolong {thy} days.
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou mayest not bring blood upon thy house, if any man shall fall from thence.
Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, should be defiled.
Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.
Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, {as} of woolen and linen together.
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, with which thou coverest {thyself} .
If any man shall take a wife, and go in to her, and hate her,
And give occasions of speech against her, and bring an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth {the tokens of} the damsel's virginity to the elders of the city in the gate:
And the damsel's father shall say to the elders, I gave my daughter to this man for a wife, and he hateth her,
And lo, he hath given occasions of speech {against her} , saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these {are the tokens of} my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;
And they shall amerce him in a hundred {shekels} of silver, and give {them} to the father of the damsel, because he hath brought an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.
But if this thing shall be true, {and the tokens of} virginity be not found for the damsel:
Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she may die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to be guilty of lewdness in her father's house: so shalt thou remove evil from among you.
If a man shall be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, {both} the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou remove evil from Israel.
If a damsel {that is} a virgin shall be betrothed to a husband, and a man shall find her in the city, and lie with her;
Then ye shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they may die; the damsel, because she cried not, {being} in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife: so thou shalt remove evil from among you.
But if a man shall find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man shall force her, and lie with her; then the man only that lay with her shall die:
But to the damsel thou shalt do nothing; {there is} in the damsel no sin {worthy} of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbor, and slayeth him, even so {is} this matter:
For he found her in the field, {and} the betrothed damsel cried, and {there was} none to save her.
If a man shall find a damsel {that is} a virgin, who is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
Then the man that lay with her shall give to the damsel's father fifty {shekels} of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.
A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.
He that is wounded or mutilated in his secrets, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:
Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth from Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
Nevertheless, the LORD thy God would not hearken to Balaam: but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing to thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
Thou shalt not seek their peace, nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite, for he {is} thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou wast a stranger in his land.
The children that are begotten by them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.
When the host goeth forth against thy enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.
If there shall be among you any man that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth to him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:
But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash {himself} with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp {again} .
Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:
And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon: and it shall be when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig with it, and shalt turn back, and cover that which cometh from thee:
For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thy enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he may see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.
Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant who hath escaped from his master to thee:
He shall dwell with thee, {even} among you in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates where it pleaseth him best: thou shalt not oppress him.
There shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
Thou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the price of a dog into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these {are} abomination to the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of any thing that is lent upon interest:
To a stranger thou mayest lend upon interest; but to thy brother thou shalt not lend upon interest; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thy hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
When thou shalt vow a vow to the LORD thy God, thou shalt not defer to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.
That which is uttered by thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; {even} a free-will-offering, according as thou hast vowed to the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.
When thou comest into thy neighbor's vineyard, then thou mayest satisfy thy appetite with grapes at thy own pleasure; but thou shalt not put {any} in thy vessel.
When thou comest into the standing-corn of thy neighbor, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thy hand: but thou shalt not move a sickle to thy neighbor's standing-corn.
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it shall come to pass that she findeth no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give {it} in her hand, and send her out of his house.
And when she hath departed from his house, she may go and be another man's {wife} .
And {if} the latter husband shall hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and give {it} in her hand, and send her out of his house; or if the latter husband shall die, who took her {to be} his wife;
Her former husband who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that {is} abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance.
When a man hath newly taken a wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: {but} he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife which he hath taken.
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone for a pledge: for he taketh {a man's} life for a pledge.
If a man shall be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and shall make merchandise of him, or sell him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt remove evil from among you.
Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, {so} ye shall observe to do.
Remember what the LORD thy God did to Miriam by the way, after that ye come forth from Egypt.
When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to take his pledge:
Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad to thee:
And if the man {is} poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
In any case thou shalt deliver to him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee; and it shall be righteousness to thee before the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant {that is} poor and needy, {whether he is} of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that {are} in thy land within thy gates:
At his day thou shalt give {him} his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it, for he {is} poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he should cry against thee to the LORD, and it be sin to thee.
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, {nor} of the fatherless, nor take a widow's raiment for a pledge:
But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bond-man in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
When thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hands.
When thou beatest thy olive-tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean {it} afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bond-man in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
If there shall be a controversy between men, and they come to judgment, that {the judges} may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
And it shall be, if the wicked man {be} worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
Forty stripes he may give him, {and} not exceed: lest {if} he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile to thee.
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out {the corn} .
If brethren shall dwell together, and one of them shall die and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without to a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in to her, and take her to him for a wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
And it shall be, {that} the first-born which she beareth, shall succeed in the name of his brother {who is} dead, that his name may not become extinct in Israel.
And if the man shall not like to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.
Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him: and {if} he shall stand {to it} , and say, I like not to take her,
Then shall his brother's wife come to him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done to that man that will not build up his brother's house.
And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near to deliver her husband from the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:
Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thy eye shall not pity {her} .
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small:
Thou shalt not have in thy house divers measures, a great and a small:
{But} thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have; that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
For all that do such things, {and} all that do unrighteously, {are} an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Remember what Amalek did to thee by the way, when ye had come forth from Egypt;
How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, {even} all {that were} feeble behind thee, when thou {wast} faint and weary; and he feared not God.
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thy enemies on all sides, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance to possess it, {that} thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget {it} .
And it shall be, when thou hast come in to the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee {for} an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;
That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put {it} in a basket, and shalt go to the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.
And thou shalt go to the priest that shall be in those days, and say to him, I profess this day to the LORD thy God, that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.
And the priest shall take the basket from thy hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.
And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish {was} my father, and he went down to Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
And the Egyptians ill-treated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
And when we cried to the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labor, and our oppression:
And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an out-stretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders;
And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, {even} a land that floweth with milk and honey.
And now, behold, I have brought the first-fruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me: and thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:
And thou shalt rejoice in every good {thing} which the LORD thy God hath given to thee, and to thy house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that {is} among you.
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thy increase the third year, {which is} the year of tithing, and hast given {it} to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled:
Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of {my} house, and also have given them to the Levite, and to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten {them} :
I have not eaten of it in my mourning, neither have I taken away {aught} of it for {any} unclean {use} , nor given {aught} of it for the dead: {but} I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, {and} have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to perform these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.
Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken to his voice:
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that {thou} shouldst keep all his commandments;
And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be a holy people to the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan to the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou hast passed over, that thou mayest enter in to the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
Therefore it shall be when ye have gone over Jordan, {that} ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
And there shalt thou build an altar to the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up {any} iron {tool} upon them.
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer on it burnt-offerings to the LORD thy God.
And thou shalt offer peace-offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law, very plainly.
And Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, Take heed and hearken, O Israel, this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day.
And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye have come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
And the Levites shall speak, and say to all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Cursed {be} the man that maketh {any} graven or molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the artificer, and putteth {it} in {a} secret {place} : and all the people shall answer, and say Amen.
Cursed {be} he that setteth light by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that removeth his neighbor's landmark: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that lieth with any manner of beast: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that lieth with his mother-in-law: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that smiteth his neighbor secretly: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed {be} he that confirmeth not {all} the words of this law to do them: and all the people shall say, Amen.
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently to the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe {and} to do all his commandments which I command thee this day; that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God.
Blessed {shalt} thou {be} in the city, and blessed {shalt} thou {be} in the field.
Blessed {shall be} the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy cattle, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Blessed {shall be} thy basket and thy store.
Blessed {shalt} thou {be} when thou comest in, and blessed {shalt} thou {be} when thou goest out.
The LORD shall cause thy enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy store-houses, and in all that thou settest thy hand to: and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
The LORD shall establish thee a holy people to himself, as he hath sworn to thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
And the LORD shall make thee to abound in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD swore to thy fathers to give thee.
The LORD shall open to thee his good treasure, the heaven to give rain to thy land in its season, and to bless all the work of thy hand: and thou shalt lend to many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken to the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do {them} :
And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, {to} the right hand or {to} the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Cursed {shalt} thou {be} in the city, and cursed {shalt} thou {be} in the field.
Cursed {shall be} thy basket and thy store.
Cursed {shall be} the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Cursed {shalt} thou {be} when thou comest in, and cursed {shalt} thou {be} when thou goest out.
The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou undertakest to perform, until thou shalt be destroyed, and until thou shalt perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings by which thou hast forsaken me.
The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave to thee, until he shall have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.
The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew: and they shall pursue thee until thou dost perish.
And thy heaven that {is} over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that {is} under thee {shall be} iron.
The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou art destroyed.
The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thy enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them; and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
And thy carcass shall be food to all fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth, and no man shall drive {them} away.
The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, of which thou canst not be healed.
The LORD shall smite thee with the madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
And thou shalt grope at noon-day, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save {thee} .
Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build a house, and thou shalt not dwell in it: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes of it.
Thy ox {shall be} slain before thy eyes, and thou shalt not eat of it: thy ass {shall be} violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep {shall be} given to thy enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue {them} .
Thy sons and thy daughters {shall be} given to another people, and thy eyes shall look, and fail {with longing} for them all the day long: and {there shall be} no might in thy hand.
The fruit of thy land, and all thy labors, shall be eaten by a nation which thou knowest not: and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed always:
So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thy eyes which thou shalt see.
The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot to the top of thy head.
The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, to a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.
And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by-word, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.
Thou shalt carry much seed into the field, and shalt gather {but} little: for the locust shall consume it.
Thou shalt plant vineyards and dress {them} , but shalt neither drink {of} the wine, nor gather {the grapes} : for the worm shall eat them.
Thou shalt have olive-trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint {thyself} with the oil: for thy olive shall cast {its fruit} .
Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them: for they shall go into captivity.
All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.
The stranger that {is} within thee shall rise above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
Moreover, all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou art destroyed: because thou hearkenedst not to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.
Because thou didst not serve the LORD thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all {things} :
Therefore shalt thou serve thy enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all {things} : and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he hath destroyed thee.
The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, {as swift} as the eagle flieth, a nation whose language thou shalt not understand:
A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young:
And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou art destroyed: which {also} shall not leave thee {either} corn, wine, or oil, {or} the increase of thy cattle, or flocks of thy sheep, until he hath destroyed thee.
And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fortified walls come down, in which thou didst trust, throughout all thy land; and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
And thou shalt eat the fruit of thy own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege and in the straitness with which thy enemies shall distress thee:
{So that} the man {that is} tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil towards his brother, and towards the wife of his bosom, and towards the remnant of his children whom he shall leave:
So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege and in the straitness with which thy enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.
The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil towards the husband of her bosom, and towards her son, and towards her daughter,
And towards her young one, her own offspring, and towards her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all {things} secretly in the siege and straitness with which thy enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.
If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;
Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, {even} great plagues, and of long continuance, and severe sicknesses, and of long continuance.
Moreover, he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, of which thou wast afraid; and they shall cleave to thee.
Also every sickness, and every plague which {is} not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou art destroyed.
And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldst not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.
And it shall come to pass, {that} as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to naught; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.
And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people from the one end of the earth even to the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, {even} wood and stone.
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have no assurance of thy life:
In the morning thou shalt say, O that it were evening, and at evening thou shalt say, O that it were morning! for the fear of thy heart with which thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thy eyes which thou shalt see.
And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I have said to thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold to your enemies for bond-men and bond-women, and no man shall buy {you} .
These {are} the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
And Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land;
The great temptations which thy eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
Yet the LORD hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day.
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes have not become old upon you, and thy shoe hath not become old upon thy foot.
Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drank wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I {am} the LORD your God.
And when ye came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us to battle, and we smote them:
And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, {with} all the men of Israel,
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that {is} in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood to the drawer of thy water:
That thou shouldst enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:
That he may establish thee to-day for a people to himself, and {that} he may be to thee a God, as he hath said to thee, and as he hath sworn to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
But with {him} that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with {him} that {is} not here with us this day:
(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;
And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which {were} among them:)
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go {and} serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
And it should come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he should bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of my heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
And the LORD shall separate him to evil out of all the tribes of Israel according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
So that the generation to come of your children that shall arise after you, and the stranger that shall come from a distant land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;
{And that} the whole land of it is brimstone, and salt, {and} burning, {that} it is not sown, nor doth it bear, nor doth any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger and in his wrath:
Even all the nations shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus to this land? what {meaneth} the heat of this great anger?
Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth from the land of Egypt:
For they went and served other gods, and worshiped them, gods which they knew not, and which he had not given to them:
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as {it is} this day.
The secret {things belong} to the LORD our God: but those {things which are} revealed {belong} to us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
And it shall come to pass, when all these things have come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call {them} to mind among all the nations whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
And shalt return to the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul;
That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
If {any} of thine shall be driven out to the outmost {parts} of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he bring thee:
And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it: and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thy enemies, and on them that hate thee, who persecuted thee.
And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
And the LORD thy God will make thee to abound in every work of thy hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, {and} if thou shalt turn to the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
For this commandment which I command thee this day, it {is} not hid from thee, neither {is} it far off.
It {is} not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, Who shall ascend for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Neither {is} it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?
But the word {is} very nigh to thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
But if thy heart shall turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
I denounce to you this day, that ye shall surely perish, {and that} ye shall not prolong {your} days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, {that} I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, {and} that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave to him (for he {is} thy life, and the length of thy days) that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swore to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
And Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel.
And he said to them, I {am} a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said to me, thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, {and} he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: {and} Joshua he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
And the LORD shall do to them as he did to Sihon, and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and to the land of them, whom he destroyed.
And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you.
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he {it is} that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
And Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people to the land which the LORD hath sworn to their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
And the LORD, he {it is} that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of {every} seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,
When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
Convene the people, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that {is} within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
And {that} their children who have not known {any thing} , may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
And the LORD said to Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud; and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.
And the LORD said to Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, and this people will rise up, and commit idolatry with the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go {to be} among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, Have not these evils come upon us, because our God {is} not among us?
And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned to other gods.
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it to the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxed fat; then will they turn to other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles have befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness: for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they form, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.
Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them: and I will be with thee.
And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
That Moses commanded the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?
Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt {yourselves} , and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.
And Moses spoke in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song until they were ended.
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness to our God.
{He is} the Rock, his work {is} perfect: for all his ways {are} judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity: just and right {is} he.
They have corrupted themselves, their spot {is} not {the spot} of his children: {they are} a perverse and crooked generation.
Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? {is} not he thy father {that} hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
For the LORD'S portion {is} his people; Jacob {is} the lot of his inheritance.
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings;
{So} the LORD alone did lead him, and {there was} no strange God with him.
He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;
Butter of cows, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou hast waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered {with fatness} ; then he forsook God {who} made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
They provoked him to jealousy with strange {gods} , with abominations they provoked him to anger.
They sacrificed to devils, not to God; to gods which they knew not, to new {gods that} came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Of the Rock {that} begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
And when the LORD saw {it} , he abhorred {them} , because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end {will be} : for they {are} a very froward generation, children in whom {is} no faith.
They have moved me to jealousy with {that which is} not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with {those who are} not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
For a fire is kindled in my anger, and shall burn to the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend my arrows upon them.
{They shall be} burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling {also} with the man of gray hairs.
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;
Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, {and} lest they should say, Our hand {is} high, and the LORD hath not done all this.
For they {are} a nation void of counsel, neither {is there any} understanding in them.
O that they were wise, {that} they understood this, {that} they would consider their latter end!
How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
For their rock {is} not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves {being} judges:
For their vine {is} of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes {are} grapes of gall, their clusters {are} bitter:
Their wine {is} the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
{Is} not this laid up in store with me, {and} sealed up among my treasures?
To me {belongeth} vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in {due} time: for the day of their calamity {is} at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent for his servants: when he seeth that {their} power is gone, and {there is} none shut up, or left.
And he shall say, Where {are} their gods, {their} rock in whom they trusted,
Which ate the fat of their sacrifices, {and} drank the wine of their drink-offerings? let them rise up and help you, {and} be your protection.
See now that I, {even} I {am} he, and {there is} no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither {is there any} that can deliver out of my hand.
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
If I shall whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to my enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; {and that} with the blood of the slain and of the captives from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
Rejoice, O ye nations, {with} his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful to his land, {and} to his people.
And Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea the son of Nun.
And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel;
And he said to them, Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
For it {is} not a vain thing for you: because it {is} your life; and through this thing ye shall prolong {your} days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
And the LORD spoke to Moses that same day, saying,
Ascend this mountain Abarim, {to} mount Nebo, which {is} in the land of Moab, that {is} over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan which I give to the children of Israel for a Possession:
And die in the mount whither thou goest, and be gathered to thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered to his people:
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.
Yet thou shalt see the land before {thee} , but thou shalt not go thither to the land which I give the children of Israel.
And this {is} the with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his death.
And he said, the LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir to them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand {went} a fiery law for them.
Yea, he loved the people; all his saints {are} in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; {every one} shall receive of thy words.
Moses commanded us a law; {even} the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people {and} the tribes of Israel were assembled.
Let Reuben live, and not die; and let {not} his men be few.
And this {is the blessing} of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him to his people: let his hands be sufficient for him, and be thou a help {to him} from his enemies.
And of Levi he said, {Let} thy Thummim and thy Urim {be} with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, {and with} whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law; they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thy altar.
Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.
{And} of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; {and the LORD} shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.
And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD {be} his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,
And for the precious fruits {brought forth} by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
And for the precious things of the earth and fullness of it, and {for} the good will of him that dwelt in the bush; let {the blessing} come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.
His glory {is like} the firstling of his bullock, and his horns {are like} the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they {are} the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they {are} the thousands of Manasseh.
And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and Issachar, in thy tents.
They shall call the people to the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck {of} the abundance of the seas, and {of} treasures hid in the sand.
And of Gad he said: Blessed {be} he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.
And he provided the first part for himself, because there, {in} a portion of the lawgiver, {was he} seated: and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.
And of Dan he said, Dan {is} a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.
And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.
And of Asher he said, {Let} Asher {be} blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.
Thy shoes {shall be} iron and brass; and as thy days, {so shall} thy strength {be} .
{There is} none like to the God of Jeshurun, {who} rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellence on the sky.
The eternal God {is thy} refuge, and underneath {are} the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, Destroy {them} .
Israel then shall dwell in safety alone; the fountain of Jacob {shall be} upon a land of corn and wine, also his heavens shall drop down dew.
Happy {art} thou, O Israel: who {is} like to thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who {is} the sword of thy excellence! and thy enemies shall be found liars to thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
And Moses went up from the plains of Moab, upon the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that {is} over against Jericho: and the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, to Dan,
And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the utmost sea,
And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm-trees, to Zoar.
And the LORD said to him, This {is} the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, I will give it to thy seed: I have caused thee to see {it} with thy eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulcher to this day.
And Moses {was} a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping {and} mourning for Moses were ended.
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened to him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
And there arose not a prophet afterwards in Israel like to Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
In all the signs and the wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses's minister, saying,
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, to the land which I do give to them, {even} to the children of Israel.
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given to you, as I said to Moses.
From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea towards the setting of the sun, shall be your border.
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, {so} I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Be strong and of a good courage: for to this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it {to} the right hand or {to} the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate in it day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all {that is} written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God {is} with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you provisions; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spoke Joshua, saying,
Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them;
Until the LORD shall have given your brethren rest, as {he hath given} you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return to the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side of Jordan towards the sun-rising.
And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us, we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
According as we hearkened to Moses in all things, so will we hearken to thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
Every one that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken to thy words in all that thou commandest him, shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
And Joshua the son of Nun sent from Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go, view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into the house of a harlot, named Rahab, and lodged there.
And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to-night of the children of Israel, to search out the country.
And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that have come to thee, who have entered into thy house: for they have come to search out all the country.
And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men to me, but I knew not whence they {were} :
And it came to pass {about the time} of shutting the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went, I know not: pursue after them quickly; for ye will overtake them.
But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
And the men pursued them the way to Jordan to the fords: and as soon as they who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
And before they had lain down, she came up to them upon the roof;
And she said to the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror hath fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did to the two kings of the Amorites, that {were} on the other side of Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
And as soon as we had heard {these things} , our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he {is} God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Now therefore, I pray you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token:
And {that} ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house {was} upon the town-wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
And she said to them, Depart to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned: and afterward ye may go your way.
And the men said to her, We {will be} blameless of this thy oath which thou hast made us swear.
Behold, {when} we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window by which thou didst let us down: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household home to thee.
And it shall be, {that} whoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood {shall be} upon his head, and we {will be} guiltless: and whoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood {shall be} on our head, if {any} hand be upon him.
And if thou shalt utter this our business, then we will be quit of thy oath which thou hast made us to swear.
And she said, According to your words, so {be} it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
And they went, and came to the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers had returned: and the pursuers sought {them} throughout all the way, but found {them} not.
So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all {things} that befell them:
And they said to Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near to it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed {this} way heretofore.
And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to-morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
And the LORD said to Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that as I was with Moses, {so} I will be with thee.
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye have come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
And Joshua said to the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
And Joshua said, By this ye shall know that the living God {is} among you, and {that} he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, {that} the waters of Jordan shall be cut off {from} the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand in a heap.
And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
And as they that bore the ark had come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,)
That the waters which came down from above stood {and} rose up in a heap very far from the city Adam, that {is} beside Zaretan; and those that came down towards the sea of the plain, {even} the salt sea, failed, {and} were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people had passed quite over Jordan.
And it came to pass, when all the people had quite passed over Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
Take you twelve men from the people, from every tribe a man,
And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging-place where ye shall lodge this night.
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, of every tribe a man:
And Joshua said to them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
That this may be a sign among you, {that} when your children ask {their fathers} in time to come, saying, What {mean} ye by these stones?
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel for ever.
And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of Jordan, as the the LORD commanded Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there to this day.
For the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.
And it came to pass, when all the people had quite passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests in the presence of the people.
And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses directed them:
About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD to battle, to the plains of Jericho.
On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
And the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.
And it came to pass, when the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up out of the midst of Jordan, {and} the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up upon the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned to their place, and flowed over all its banks, as {they did} before.
And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth {day} of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
And those twelve stones which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua set up in Gilgal.
And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What {mean} these stones?
Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye had passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had gone over:
That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD that it {is} mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites who {were} on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites who {were} by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we had passed over, that their heart melted; neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
And this {is} the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, {that were} males, {even} all the men of war died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
Now all the people that came out were circumcised; but all the people {that were} born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth from Egypt, {them} they had not circumcised.
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people {that were} men of war who came out of Egypt were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: to whom the LORD swore that he would not show them the land which the LORD swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
And their children, {whom} he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
And it came to pass when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
And the LORD said to Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you: Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho.
And they ate of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched {corn} in the same day.
And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went to him, and said to him, {Art} thou for us, or for our adversaries?
And he said, No; but {as} captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and said to him, What saith my lord to his servant?
And the captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place on which thou standest is holy: and Joshua did so.
Now Jericho was closely shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and its king, {and} the mighty men of valor.
And ye shall compass the city, all {ye} men of war, {and} go round the city once: thus shalt thou do six days.
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long {blast} with the ram's horn, {and} when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout: and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend every man straight before him.
And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.
And he said to the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rear-guard came after the ark, {the priests} going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall {any} word proceed from your mouth, until the day I bid you shout, then shall ye shout.
So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about {it} once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rear-guard came after the ark of the LORD, {the priests} going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did six days.
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
And the city shall be accursed, {even} it, and all that {are} in it, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that {are} with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
And ye, in any wise keep {yourselves} from the accursed thing, lest ye make {yourselves} accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, {are} consecrated to the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
So the people shouted when {the priests} blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
And they utterly destroyed all that {was} in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
But Joshua had said to the two men that spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye swore to her.
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
And they burnt the city with fire, and all that {was} in it: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel {even} to this day; because she hid the messengers which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
And Joshua adjured {them} at that time, saying, Cursed {be} the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay its foundation in his first-born, and in his youngest {son} shall he set up the gates of it.
So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was {noised} throughout all the country.
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which {is} beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spoke to them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
And they returned to Joshua, and said to him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; {and} make not all the people to labor thither; for they {are but} few.
So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them {from} before the gate {even} to Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.
And Joshua said, Alas, O LORD GOD, why hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? O that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of Jordan.
O LORD, what shall I say, when Israel turn their backs before their enemies!
For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land will hear {of it} , and will environ us, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do to thy great name?
And the LORD said to Joshua, Arise; Why liest thou thus upon thy face?
Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put {it} even among their own goods.
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, {but} turned {their} backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
Rise, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, {There is} an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thy enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, {that} the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to their families: and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.
And it shall be, {that} he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.
So Joshua rose early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:
And he brought his household man by man; and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
And Joshua said to Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to him; and tell me now what thou hast done, hide {it} not from me.
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done.
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them, and behold, they {are} hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and behold, {it was} hid in his tent, and the silver under it.
And they took them from the midst of the tent, and brought them to Joshua, and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them to the valley of Achor.
And Joshua said, why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
And they raised over him a great heap of stones to this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger: wherefore the name of that place was called the valley of Achor to this day.
And the LORD said to Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king, as thou didst to Jericho and her king: only its spoil, and its cattle, shall ye take for a prey to yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night.
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, {even} behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
And I, and all the people that {are} with me, will approach to the city: and it shall come to pass when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.
Then ye shall rise from the ambush and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand,
And it shall be when ye have taken the city, {that} ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
Joshua therefore sent them forth; and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
And Joshua rose early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
And all the people, {even the people} of war that {were} with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now {there was} a valley between them and Ai.
And he took about five thousand men; and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.
And when they had set the people, {even} all the host that {was} on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
And it came to pass when the king of Ai saw {it} , that they hasted and rose early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain: but he knew not that {there were} liers in ambush against him behind the city.
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
And all the people that {were} in Ai were called together to pursue them: and they pursued Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.
And there was not a man left in Ai, or Beth-el that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued Israel.
And the LORD said to Joshua, Stretch out the spear that {is} in thy hand towards Ai; for I will give it into thy hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that {he had} in his hand towards the city.
And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted, and set the city on fire.
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again and slew the men of Ai.
And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
And it came to pass when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness in which they chased them, and when they had all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
And {so} it was, {that} all that fell that day, both of men and women, {were} twelve thousand, {even} all the men of Ai.
For Joshua drew not his hand back with which he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey to themselves, according to the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, {even} a desolation to this day.
And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise upon it a great heap of stones, {that remaineth} to this day.
Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lifted up {any} iron: and they offered upon it burnt-offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace-offerings.
And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side of the ark, and on that side, before the priests the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
And it came to pass, when all the kings who {were} on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite heard {these things} ,
That they assembled themselves, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
They did work craftily, and went and made as if they had been embassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
And old shoes and patched upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry {and} moldy.
And they went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him, and to the men of Israel, We have come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
And the men of Israel said to the Hivites, It may be ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
And they said to Joshua, we {are} thy servants. And Joshua said to them, Who {are} ye? and whence come ye?
And they said to him, From a very far country thy servants have come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that {were} beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who {was} at Ashtaroth.
Wherefore our elders, and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, We {are} your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us:
This our bread we took hot {for} our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy:
And these bottles of wine which we filled, {were} new, and behold, they are rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
And the men took of their provisions, and asked not {counsel} at the mouth of the LORD.
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation swore to them.
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they {were} their neighbors, and {that} they dwelt among them.
And the children of Israel journeyed, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities {were} Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.
And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore to them.
And the princes said to them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood, and drawers of water to all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
And Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, Why have ye deceived us, saying, We {are} very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
Now therefore ye {are} cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bond-men, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were greatly afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
And now, behold, we {are} in thy hand: do as it seemeth good and right to thee to do to us,
And so did he to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even to this day, in the place which he should choose.
Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
That they feared greatly, because Gibeon {was} a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it {was} greater than Ai, and all the men of it {were} mighty.
Wherefore Adoni-zedec king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, and to Piram king of Jarmuth, and to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,
Come up to me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, assembled themselves, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains, are assembled against us.
So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.
And the LORD said to Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
Joshua therefore came to them suddenly, {and} went up from Gilgal all night.
And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and to Makkedah.
And it came to pass as they fled from before Israel, {and} were in the descent to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them to Azekah, and they died: {they were} more who died with hailstones than {they} whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
Then spoke Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. {Is} not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened to the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them:
And stay you not, {but} pursue your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.
And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest {who} remained of them entered into fortified cities.
And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of the cave.
And they did so, and brought those five kings to him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, {and} the king of Eglon.
And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
And Joshua said to them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
And it came to pass at the time of the setting of the sun, {that} Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, and cast them into the cave in which they had been hid, and laid great stones upon the cave's mouth, {which remain} until this very day.
And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king of it he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that {were} in it; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did to the king of Jericho.
Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah, and fought against Libnah:
And the LORD delivered it also, and its king, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that {were} in it; he let none remain in it; but did to the king of it as he did to the king of Jericho.
And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:
And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, who took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that {were} in it, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
And from Lachish Joshua passed to Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:
And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that {were} in it he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, to Hebron; and they fought against it:
And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and its king, and all its cities, and all the souls that {were} in them; he left none remaining (according to all that he had done to Eglon) but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that {were} in it.
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:
And he took it, and its king, and all its cities, and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that {were} in them; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to its king; as he had done also to Libnah, and to its king.
So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even to Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even to Gibeon.
And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time; because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp in Gilgal.
And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard {those things} , that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king Achshaph,
And to the kings that {were} on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Cinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,
{And to} the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and {to} the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and {to} the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, many people, even as the sand that {is} upon the sea-shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very numerous.
And when all these kings were met together, they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
And the LORD said to Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to-morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and they fell upon them.
And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them to great Zidon, and to Misrephoth-maim, and to the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left to them none remaining.
And Joshua did to them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote its king with the sword: for Hazor before-time was the head of all those kingdoms.
And they smote all the souls that {were} in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying {them} : there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, Joshua took, and smote them with the edge of the sword, {and} he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
But {as for} the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; {that} did Joshua burn.
And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey to themselves: but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua: he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;
{Even} from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even to Baal-gad, in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all {other} they took in battle.
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, {and} that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And at that time came Joshua and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.
There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
Now these {are} the kings of the land, whom the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side of Jordan towards the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon, to mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, {and} ruled from Aroer, which {is} upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even to the river Jabbok, {which is} the border of the children of Ammon;
And from the plain to the sea of Cinneroth on the east, and to the sea of the plain, {even} the salt sea on the east, the way to Beth-jeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdoth-pisgah:
And the coast of Og king of Bashan, {who was} of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites, and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
Them did Moses the servant of the LORD, and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it {for} a possession to the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
And these {are} the kings of the country whom Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side of Jordan on the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon, even to the mount Halak that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave to the tribes of Israel {for} a possession according to their divisions;
In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:
The king of Jericho one; the king of Ai, which {is} beside Beth-el, one;
The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Beth-el, one;
The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
The king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
The king of Dor in the border of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.
Now Joshua was old {and} advanced in years; and the LORD said to him Thou art old {and} advanced in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
This {is} the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
From Sihor, which {is} before Egypt, even to the borders of Ekron northward, {which} is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
From the south all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that {is} beside the Sidonians, to Aphek to the borders of the Amorites:
And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon towards the sun-rising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon to the entering into Hamath.
And the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, {and} all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot to the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, {even} as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.
From Aroer that {is} upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that {is} in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba to Dibon;
And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the children of Ammon;
And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salcah;
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants. For these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
Nevertheless, the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
Only to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire {are} their inheritance, as he said to them.
And Moses gave to the tribe of the children of Reuben {inheritance} according to their families.
And their border was from Aroer that {is} on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that {is} in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;
Heshbon, and all her cities that {are} in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
And Jahaza, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth-shahar in the mount of the valley,
And Beth-peor, and Ashdoth-pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth,
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Balaam also the son of Beor, the sooth-sayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword, among them that were slain by them.
And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and its border. This {was} the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and their villages.
And Moses gave {inheritance} to the tribe of Gad, {even} to the children of Gad according to their families.
And their border was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, to Aroer that {is} before Rabbah;
And from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
And in the valley, Beth-aram, and Beth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and {its} border, {even} to the edge of the sea of Cinneroth, on the other side of Jordan eastward.
This {is} the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.
And Moses gave {inheritance} to the half-tribe of Manasseh: and {this} was {the possession} of the half-tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.
And their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which {are} in Bashan, sixty cities:
And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, {were pertaining} to the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, {even} to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
These {are the countries} which Moses distributed for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side of Jordan by Jericho eastward.
But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave not {any} inheritance: the LORD God of Israel {was} their inheritance, as he said to them.
And these {are the countries} which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed for inheritance to them.
By lot {was} their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and {for} the half-tribe.
For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and a half-tribe on the other side of Jordan: but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part to the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell {in} , with their suburbs for their cattle, and for their substance.
As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said to him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
Forty years old {was} I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land; and I brought him word again as it {was} in my heart.
Nevertheless, my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land on which thy feet have trodden shall be thy inheritance, and thy children's for ever; because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while {the children of} Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I {am} this day eighty five years old.
As yet I {am as} strong this day, as {I was} in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength {was} then, even so {is} my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Now therefore give me this mountain, of which the LORD spoke in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims {were} there, and {that} the cities {were} great {and} fortified: if the LORD {will be} with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
And Joshua blessed him, and gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite to this day; because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
And the name of Hebron before {was} Kirjath-arba; {which Arba was} a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
{This} then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; {even} to the border of Edom, the wilderness of Zin southward {was} the uttermost part of the south border.
And their south border was from the shore of the salt-sea, from the bay that looketh southward:
And it went out to the south side to Maaleh-acrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended on the south side to Kadesh-barnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
{From thence} it passed towards Azmon, and went out to the river of Egypt; and the limits of that border were at the sea: this shall be your south limit.
And the east border {was} the salt-sea, {even} to the end of Jordan: and {their} border in the north quarter {was} from the bay of the sea, at the uttermost part of Jordan:
And the border went up to Beth-hogla, and passed along by the north of Beth-arabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
And the border went up towards Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward looking towards Gilgal, that {is} before the going up to Adummim, which {is} on the south side of the river: and the border passed towards the waters of En-shemesh, and the borders of it were at En-rogel:
And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom, to the south side of the Jebusite; the same {is} Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that {lieth} before the valley of Hinnom westward, which {is} at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
And the border was drawn from the top of the hill to the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which {is} Kirjath-jearim:
And the border compassed from Baalah westward to mount Seir, and passed along to the side of mount Jearim (which {is} Chesalon) on the north side, and went down to Beth-shemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
And the border went out to the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out to Jabneel; and the terminations of the border were at the sea.
And the west border {was} to the great sea, and its coast: this {is} the border of the children of Judah round about, according to their families.
And to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, {even} the city of Arba the father of Anak, which {city is} Hebron.
And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before {was} Kirjath-sepher.
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter for a wife.
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter for a wife.
And it came to pass, as she came {to him} , that she moved him to ask of her father a field. And she lighted off {her} ass; and Caleb said to her, What wouldst thou?
Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land, give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah towards the border of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, {and} Hezron, which {is} Hazor,
Aman, and Shema, and Moladah,
And Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-palet,
And Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Bizjothjah,
Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
And Ziglag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities {are} twenty and nine, with their villages:
{And} in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
And Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
And Cabbon, and Lahman, and Kithlish,
And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
From Ekron even to the sea, all that {lay} near Ashdod, with their villages:
Ashdod, with her towns and her villages; Gaza, with her towns and her villages, to the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and its border:
And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
And Dannah, and Kirjath-sannah, which {is} Debir,
And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages:
Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
And Janum, and Beth-tappuah, and Aphekah,
And Humtah, and Kirjath-arba (which {is} Hebron) and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor,
And Maarath, and Beth-anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:
Kirjath-baal (which {is} Kirjath-jearim) and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:
In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, and Secacah,
And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages.
As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not expel them: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, to the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Beth-el,
And goeth out from Beth-el to Luz, and passeth along to the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
And goeth down westward to the border of Japhleti, to the border of Beth-horon the nether, and to Gezer: and the limits of it are at the sea.
So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was {thus} : even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth-adar, to Beth-horon the upper:
And the border went out towards the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward to Taanath-shiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and terminated at Jordan.
The border went out from Tappuah westward to the river Kanah; and the limits of it were at the sea. This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim {were} among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
And they did not expel the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, and serve under tribute.
There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he {was} the first-born of Joseph; {to wit} , for Machir the first-born of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.
There was also {a lot} for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these {were} the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.
But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these {are} the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren: therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.
And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which {were} on the other side of Jordan;
Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead.
And the border of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that {lieth} before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand to the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
{Now} Manasseh had the land of Tappuah: but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh {belonged} to the children of Ephraim;
And the border descended to the river Kanah, southward of the river. These cities of Ephraim {are} among the cities of Manasseh: the border of Manasseh also {was} on the north side of the river, and the limits of it were at the sea:
Southward {it was} Ephraim's, and northward {it was} Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.
And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Tanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, {even} three countries.
Yet the children of Manasseh could not expel {the inhabitants of} those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel had become strong, that they subjected the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly expel them.
And the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me {but} one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I {am} a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath hitherto blessed me?
And Joshua answered them, If thou {art} a great people, {then} go up to the wood, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim is too narrow for thee.
And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, {both they} who {are} of Beth-shean and its towns, and {they} who {are} of the valley of Jezreel.
And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, {even} to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou {art} a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot {only} :
But the mountain shall be thine; for it {is} a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the limits of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, {and} though they {are} strong.
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there: and the land was subdued before them.
And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
And Joshua said to the children of Israel, How long {are} ye slack to go to possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?
Select from among you three men for {each} tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them, and they shall come {again} to me.
And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their border on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their borders on the north.
Ye shall therefore describe the land {in} seven parts, and bring {the description} hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD {is} their inheritance. And Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.
And the men arose, and departed: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go, and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.
And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities in seven parts in a book, and came {again} , to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.
And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.
And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the border of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the limits of it were at the wilderness of Beth-aven.
And the border went over from thence towards Luz, to the side of Luz (which {is} Beth-el) southward; and the border descended to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that {lieth} on the south side of the nether Beth-horon.
And the border was drawn {thence} , and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that {lieth} before Beth-horon southward; and the limits of it were at Kirjath-baal (which {is} Kirjath-jearim) a city of the children of Judah. This {was} the west quarter.
And the south quarter {was} from the end of Kirjah-jearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:
And the border came down to the end of the mountain that {lieth} before the valley of the son of Hinnom, {and} which {is} in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to En-rogel,
And was drawn from the north, and went forth to En-shemesh, and went forth towards Geliloth, which {is} over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,
And passed along towards the side over against Arabah northward, and went down to Arabah:
And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the limits of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan. This {was} the south border.
And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This {was} the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the limits of it round about, according to their families.
Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, according to their families, were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz,
And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el,
And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,
And Chephar-haamonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:
Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,
And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, (which {is} Jerusalem) Gibeath, {and} Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This {is} the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
And the second lot came forth to Simeon, {even} for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.
And they had in their inheritance, Beer-sheba, and Sheba, and Moladah.
And Hazar-shual, and Balah, and Azem,
And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,
And Ziklag, and Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susah,
And Beth-lebaoth, and Sheruhen; thirteen cities and their villages:
Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:
And all the villages that {were} around these cities to Baalath-beer, Ramath of the south. This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.
Out of the portion of the children of Judah {was} the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was to Sarid:
And their border went up towards the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that {is} before Jokneam,
And turned from Sarid eastward, towards the sun-rising, to the border of Chisloth-tabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
And from thence passeth along on the east to Gittah-hepher, to Ittah-kazin, and goeth out to Remmon-methoar to Neah;
And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the limits of it are in the valley of Jiphthah-el:
And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lehem; twelve cities with their villages.
This {is} the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.
{And} the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families.
And their border was towards Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
And Hapharaim, and Shihon, and Anaharath,
And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,
And Remeth, and En-gannim, and En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez;
And the border reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Beth-shemesh, and the limits of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.
This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.
And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,
And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihor-libnath;
And turneth towards the sun-rising to Beth-dagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthah-el towards the north side of Beth-emek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, {even} to great Zidon;
And {then} the border turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the border turneth to Hosah: and the limits of it are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.
This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.
The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, {even} for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
And their border was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, to Lakum; and the limits thereof were at Jordan:
And {then} the border turneth westward to Aznoth-tabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan towards the sun-rising.
And the fortified cities {are} Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,
And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,
And Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor,
And Iron, and Migdal-el, Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.
{And} the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.
And the border of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh,
And Shaalabbim, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,
And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,
And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,
And Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon,
And Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.
And the border of the children of Dan, went out {too little} for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt in it, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
This {is} the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.
When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:
According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, {even} Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt in it.
These {are} the inheritances which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.
The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint for you cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses:
That the slayer that killeth {any} person unawares {and} ignorantly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
And when he that doth flee to one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city to them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
And if the avenger of blood shall pursue him, then they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbor ignorantly, and had not hated him before.
And he shall dwell in that city, until he shall stand before the congregation for judgment, {and} until the death of the high-priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from whence he fled.
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, (which {is} Hebron) in the mountain of Judah.
And on the other side of Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger sojourning among them, that whoever should kill {any} person unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our cattle.
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.
And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, {who were} of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
And the rest of the children of Kohath {had} by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
And the children of Gershon {had} by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
The children of Merari by their families {had} out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
And the children of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are {here} mentioned by name,
Which the children of Aaron, {being} of the families of the Kohathites, {who were} of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak (which {city is} Hebron) in the hill -{country} of Judah, with its suburbs round it.
But the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest, Hebron with its suburbs, {to be} a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with its suburbs,
And Jattir with its suburbs, and Eshtemoa with its suburbs,
And Holon with its suburbs, and Debir with its suburbs,
And Ain with its suburbs, and Juttah with its suburbs, {and} Beth-shemesh with its suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its suburbs, Geba with its suburbs,
Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.
All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, {were} thirteen cities with their suburbs.
And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites who remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
For they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in mount Ephraim, {to be} a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with its suburbs,
And Kibzaim with its suburbs, and Beth-horon with its suburbs; four cities.
And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with its suburbs, Gibbethon with its suburbs,
Ajalon with its suburbs, Gath-rimmon with its suburbs; four cities.
And out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with its suburbs; two cities.
All the cities {were} ten with their suburbs, for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
And to the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the {other} half-tribe of Manasseh {they gave} Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, {to be} a city of refuge for the slayer, and Beesh-terah with its suburbs; two cities.
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with its suburbs, Dabareh with its suburbs,
Jarmuth with its suburbs, En-gannim with its suburbs; four cities.
And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its suburbs, Abdon with its suburbs,
Helkath with its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs; four cities.
And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, {to be} a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammoth-dor with its suburbs, and Kartan with its suburbs; three cities.
All the cities of the Gershonites, according to their families, {were} thirteen cities with their suburbs.
And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, and Kartah with its suburbs,
Dimnah with its suburbs, Nahalal with its suburbs; four cities.
And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its suburbs, and Jahazah with its suburbs,
Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs; four cities.
And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs {to be} a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with its suburbs,
Heshbon with its suburbs, Jazer with its suburbs; four cities in all.
So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were {by} their lot twelve cities.
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel {were} forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
These cities were every one with their suburbs around them. Thus {were} all these cities.
And the LORD gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt in it.
And the LORD gave them rest on all sides, according to all that he swore to their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
There failed not aught of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel; all came to pass.
Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
And said to them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
Ye have not left your brethren these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
And now the LORD your God hath given rest to your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and go to your tents, {and} to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of Jordan.
But take diligent heed to perform the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave to him, and to serve him with all your heart, and with all your soul.
So Joshua blessed them and sent them away; and they went to their tents.
Now to the {one} half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given {possession} in Bashan: but to the {other} half of it gave Joshua among their brethren on this side of Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also to their tents, then he blessed them,
And he spoke to them, saying, Return with much riches to your tents, and with very many cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which {is} in the land of Canaan, to go to the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, of which they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
And when they came to the borders of Jordan, that {are} in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to the sight.
And the children of Israel heard it said, Behold, the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
And when the children of Israel heard {of it} , the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
And the children of Israel sent to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one {was} a head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
And they came to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, to the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying,
Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass {is} this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have built you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
{Is} the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, {seeing} ye rebel to-day against the LORD, that to-morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
Not withstanding, if the land of your possession {is} unclean, {then} pass ye over to the land of the possession of the LORD, in which the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar besides the altar of the LORD our God.
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fall on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
Then the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and said to the heads of the thousands of Israel,
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if {it is} in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer on it burnt-offering, or meat-offering, or if to offer peace-offerings on it, let the LORD himself require {it} ;
And if we have not {rather} done it for fear of {this} thing, saying, In time to come your children may speak to our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
For the LORD hath made Jordan a boundary between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD. So shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice:
But {that} it {may be} a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we may do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt-offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they shall {so} say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt-offerings, nor for sacrifices; but {it is} a witness between us and you.
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt-offerings, for meat-offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD our God that {is} before his tabernacle.
And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation, and heads of the thousands of Israel who {were} with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them.
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD {is} among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, from the land of Gilead, to the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land in which the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar {Ed} : for it {shall be} a witness between us that the LORD {is} God.
And it came to pass, a long time after that the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies on all sides, that Joshua became old {and} advanced in age.
And Joshua called for all Israel, {and} for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them, I am old {and} advanced in age:
And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done to all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God {is} he that hath fought for you.
Behold, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea westward.
And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised to you.
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside from it {to} the right hand or {to} the left;
That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear {by them} , neither serve them, nor bow yourselves to them:
But cleave to the LORD your God, as ye have done to this day.
For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but {as for} you, no man hath been able to stand before you to this day.
One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he {it is} that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave to the remnant of these nations, {even} these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and associate with them, and they with you:
Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out {any of} these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
And behold, this day I {am} going the way of all the earth; and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you: all are come to pass to you, {and} not one thing hath failed of it.
Therefore it shall come to pass, {that} as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he hath destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given to you.
And Joshua convened all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
And Joshua said to all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, {even} Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
And I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave to Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.
And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came to the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red sea.
And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.
And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt on the other side of Jordan, and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
But I would not hearken to Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
And ye went over Jordan, and came to Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I delivered them into your hand.
And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, {even} the two kings of the Amorites; {but} not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.
And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive-yards which ye planted not do ye eat.
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
And if it seemeth evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that {were} on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
And the people answered, and said, Be it far from us that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
For the LORD our God, he {it is} that brought us, and our fathers, out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way in which we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites who dwelt in the land: {therefore} will we also serve the LORD; for he {is} our God.
And Joshua said to the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he {is} a holy God; he {is} a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins.
If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
And the people said to Joshua, No; but we will serve the LORD.
And Joshua said to the people, Ye {are} witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, {We are} witnesses.
Now therefore put away ({said he} ) the strange gods which {are} among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.
And the people said to Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak that {was} by the sanctuary of the LORD.
And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us, it shall be therefore a witness to you, lest ye deny your God.
So Joshua let the people depart, every man to his inheritance.
And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun the servant of the LORD died, {being} a hundred and ten years old.
And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which {is} in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.
And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and who had known all the works of the LORD that he had done for Israel.
And the bones of Joseph which the children of Israel brought out of Egypt, they buried in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver; and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill {that pertained} to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first to fight against them?
And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
And Judah said to Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
And Judah went up, and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.
And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
And Adoni-bezek said, seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered {their food} under my table; as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
(Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.)
And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites that dwelt on the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before {was} Kirjath-arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before {was} Kirjath-sepher:
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter for a wife.
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter for a wife.
And it came to pass, when she came {to him} , that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off {her} ass; and Caleb said to her, What wilt thou?
And she said to him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
And the children of the Kenite, Moses's father-in-law, went up out of the city of palm-trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which {lieth} in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.
Also Judah took Gaza with its border, and Askelon with its border, and Ekron with its border.
And the LORD was with Judah; and he drove out {the inhabitants of} the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Beth-el: and the LORD {was} with them.
And the house of Joseph sent to explore Beth-el. Now the name of the city before {was} Luz.
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, Show us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will show thee mercy.
And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword: but they let go the man and all his family.
And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name of it Luz: which {is} its name to this day.
Neither did Manasseh expel {the inhabitants of} Beth-shean and its towns, nor Tanach and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
And it came to pass when Israel was strong, that they subjected the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly expel them.
Neither did Ephraim expel the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
Neither did Zebulun expel the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.
Neither did Asher expel the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not expel them.
Neither did Naphtali expel the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless, the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became tributaries to them.
And the Amorites forced the children of Dan to the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Ajalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.
And the border of the Amorites {was} from the ascent to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to depart from Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be {as thorns} in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.
And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there to the LORD.
And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man to his inheritance to possess the land.
And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, {being} a hundred and ten years old.
And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
And also all that generation were gathered to their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that {were} around them, and bowed themselves to them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies around, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them: and they were greatly distressed.
Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.
And yet they would not hearken to their judges, but they went astray after other gods, and bowed themselves to them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; {but} they did not so.
And when the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: (for the LORD repented because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and burdened them.)
And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, {that} they returned, and corrupted {themselves} more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened to my voice;
I also will not henceforth drive out from before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it, as their fathers kept {it} , or not.
Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out speedily, neither did he deliver them into the hand of Joshua.
Now these {are} the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, ({even} as many {of Israel} as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing of it;)
{Namely} , five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt on mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath.
And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken to the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:
And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baalim, and the groves.
Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years.
And when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, {even} Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.
And the land had rest forty years: and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
And he gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm-trees.
So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjaminite, a man left-handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present to Eglon king of Moab.
But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he girded it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
And he brought the present to Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon {was} a very fat man.
And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bore the present.
But he himself turned again from the quarries that {were} by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand to thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.
And Ehud came to him; and he was sitting in a summer-parlor, which he had for himself alone: and Ehud said, I have a message from God to thee. And he arose from {his} seat.
And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:
And the haft also entered after the blade: and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them.
When he had gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlor {were} locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer-chamber.
And they tarried till they were ashamed: and behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor, therefore they took a key and opened {them} : and behold, their lord lay dead on the earth.
And Ehud escaped while they tarried; and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped to Seirath.
And it came to pass when he had come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
And he said to them, Follow me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan towards Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.
And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor: and there escaped not a man.
So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel: and the land had rest eighty years.
And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox-goad; and he also delivered Israel.
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, after Ehud was dead.
And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan that reigned in Hazor, the captain of whose host {was} Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
And the children of Israel cried to the LORD; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
And she dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, {saying} , Go, and draw towards mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali, and of the children of Zebulun?
And I will draw to thee, to the river Kishon, Sisera the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thy hand.
And Barak said to her, if thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, {then} I will not go.
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thy honor; for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Now Heber the Kenite, {who was} of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent to the plain of Zaanaim, which {is} by Kedesh.
And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to mount Tabor.
And Sisera collected all his chariots, {even} nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that {were} with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles to the river of Kishon.
And Deborah said to Barak, Arise, for this {is} the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thy hand: hath not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all {his} chariots, and all {his} host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera alighted from {his} chariot, and fled away on his feet.
But Barak pursued the chariots, and the host, to Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; {and} there was not a man left.
Howbeit, Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for {there was} peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in to her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
And he said to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
Again he said to her, stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep, and weary. So he died.
And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her {tent} , behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail {was} in his temples.
So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, {even} I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing {praise} to the LORD God of Israel.
LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
The mountains melted from before the LORD, {even} that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through by-ways.
{The inhabitants of} the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
They chose new gods; then {was} war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
My heart {is} towards the governors of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the people: Bless ye the LORD.
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
{They that are delivered} from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, {even} the righteous acts {towards the inhabitants} of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
Awake, awake, Deborah; awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
Out of Ephraim {was there} a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
And the princes of Issachar {were} with Deborah: even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben {there were} great thoughts of heart.
Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben {there were} great searchings of heart.
Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea-shore, and abode in his breaches.
Zebulun and Naphtali {were} a people {that} jeoparded their lives to death in the high places of the field.
The kings came {and} fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Tanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
Then were the horse's hoofs broken by the means of the prancings, the prancings of their mighty ones.
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly its inhabitants; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
He asked water, {and} she gave {him} milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and struck through his temples.
At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot {so} long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
Her wise ladies answered her, yes, she returned answer to herself.
Have they not found; have they {not} divided the prey; to every man a damsel {or} two; to Sisera a prey of divers colors, a prey of divers colors of needle-work, of divers colors of needle-work on both sides, {meet} for the necks of {them that take} the spoil?
So let all thy enemies perish, O LORD: but {let} them that love him {be} as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: {and} because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which {are} in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
And {so} it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou comest to Gaza; and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
For they came up with their cattle, and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; {for} both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried to the LORD.
And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried to the LORD because of the Midianites,
That the LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth from the house of bondage;
And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;
And I said to you, I {am} the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which {was} in Ophrah, that {pertained} to Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon thrashed wheat by the wine-press, to hide {it} from the Midianites.
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, The LORD {is} with thee, thou mighty man of valor.
And Gideon said to him, O my LORD, if the LORD is with us, why then hath all this befallen us? and where {are} all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
And he said to him, O my LORD, by what means shall I save Israel? behold, my family {is} poor in Manasseh, and I {am} the least in my father's house.
And the LORD said to him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
And he said to him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talkest with me.
Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come to thee, and bring forth my present, and set {it} before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou comest again.
And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought {it} out to him under the oak, and presented {it} .
And the angel of God said to him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay {them} upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that {was} in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed from his sight.
And when Gideon perceived that he was {an} angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
And the LORD said to him, Peace {be} to thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: to this day it {is} yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that {is} by it:
And build an altar to the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt-sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said to him: and {so} it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do {it} by day, that he did {it} by night.
And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that {was} by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar {that was} built.
And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
Then the men of the city said to Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that {was} by it.
And Joash said to all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst {it is yet} morning: if he {is} a god, let him plead for himself, because {one} hath cast down his altar.
Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
Then all the Midianites, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east were assembled, and went over, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel.
But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was called after him.
And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was called after him: and he sent messengers to Asher, and to Zebulun, and to Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
And Gideon said to God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said,
Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the floor; {and} if the dew shall be on the fleece only, and {it} shall {be} dry upon all the earth {besides} , then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.
And it was so: for he rose early on the morrow, and pressed the fleece, and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowl-full of water.
And Gideon said to God, Let not thy anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: Let me make trial, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Then Jerubbaal (who {is} Gideon) and all the people that {were} with him, rose early, and encamped beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
And the LORD said to Gideon, The people that {are} with thee {are} too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, My own hand hath saved me.
Now therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever {is} fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
And the LORD said to Gideon, The people {are} yet {too} many; bring them down to the water, and I will try them for thee there; and it shall be, {that} of whom I say to thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say to thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
So he brought down the people to the water: and the LORD said to Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
And the number of them that lapped, {putting} their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
And the LORD said to Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thy hand: and let all the {other} people go every man to his place.
So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all {the rest of} Israel every man to his tent, and retained those three hundred men. And the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Arise, go down to the host; for I have delivered it into thy hand.
But if thou fearest to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thy hands be strengthened to go down to the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant to the outside of the armed men that {were} in the host.
And the Midianites, and the Amalekites, and all the children of the east, lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels {were} without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
And when Gideon had come, behold, {there was} a man that told a dream to his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley-bread rolled into the host of Midian, and came to a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it that the tent lay along.
And his fellow answered, and said, This {is} nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: {for} into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
And it was {so} , when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and its interpretation, that he worshiped, and returned to the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
And he divided the three hundred men {into} three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
And he said to them, Look on me, and do likewise: and behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be {that} as I do, so shall ye do.
When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that {are} with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, {The sword} of the LORD, and of Gideon.
So Gideon, and the hundred men that {were} with him, came to the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers that {were} in their hands.
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow {with} : and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
And they stood every man in his place around the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zereroth, {and} to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.
And the men of Israel assembled out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued the Midianites.
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters to Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim assembled, and took the waters to Beth-barah and Jordan.
And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the wine-press of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of Jordan.
And the men of Ephraim said to him, Why hast thou treated us thus, that thou calledst us not when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? and they chid with him sharply.
And he said to them, What have I done now in comparison of you? {Is} not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then, when he had said that, their anger towards him abated.
And Gideon came to Jordan, {and} passed over, he, and the three hundred men that {were} with him, faint, yet pursuing {them} .
And he said to the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread to the people that follow me: for they {are} faint, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
And the princes of Succoth said, {Are} the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread to thy army?
And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
And he went up thence to Penuel, and spoke to them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered {him} .
And he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
Now Zebah and Zalmunna {were} in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand {men} , all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.
And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun {had risen} ,
And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described to him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, {even} seventy seven men.
And he came to the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye upbraided me, saying, {Are} the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread to thy men {that are} weary?
And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness, and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men {were they} whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou {art} , so {were} they; each one resembled the children of a king.
And he said, They {were} my brethren, {even} the sons of my mother: {as} the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
And he said to Jether his first-born, Arise, {and} slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he {was} yet a youth.
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man {is} , {so is} his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that {were} on their camels' necks.
Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
And Gideon said to them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
And Gideon said to them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the ear-rings of his prey. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they {were} Ishmaelites.)
And they answered, We will willingly give {them} . And they spread a garment, and cast into it every man the ear-rings of his prey.
And the weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested, was a thousand and seven hundred {shekels} of gold; besides ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that {was} on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that {were} about their camels' necks.
And Gideon made of it an ephod, and put it in his city, {even} in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither astray after it: which thing became a snare to Gideon, and to his house.
Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they raised their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
And Gideon had seventy sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
And his concubine that {was} in Shechem, she also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
And it came to pass as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went astray after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god.
And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side:
Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, {namely} Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shown to Israel.
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Which {is} better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, {which are} seventy persons, should reign over you, or that one should reign over you? remember also that I {am} your bone and your flesh.
And his mother's brethren spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He {is} our brother.
And they gave him seventy {pieces} of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and light persons, who followed him.
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, {being} seventy persons, upon one stone; notwithstanding, yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
And all the men of Shechem assembled, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that {was} in Shechem.
And when they told {it} to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice and cried, and said to them, Hearken to me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken to you.
The trees went forth {on a time} to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.
But the olive-tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou, {and} reign over us.
But the fig-tree said to them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Then said the trees to the vine, Come thou, {and} reign over us.
And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come thou, {and} reign over us.
And the bramble said to the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, {then} come {and} put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands:
(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you from the hand of Midian:
And ye have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he {is} your brother:)
If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, {then} rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
That the cruelty {done} to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem who aided him in the killing of his brethren.
And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him on the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trod {the grapes} , and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who {is} Abimelech, and who {is} Shechem, that we should serve him; {is} not {he} the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
And would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thy army, and come out.
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
And he sent messengers to Abimelech privately, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed, and his brethren, are come to Shechem; and behold, they fortify the city against thee.
Now therefore rise by night, thou, and the people that {are} with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
And it shall be, {that} in the morning, as soon as the sun hath risen, thou shalt rise early, and attack the city: and behold, {when} he and the people that {are} with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
And Abimelech rose, and all the people that {were} with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose, and the people that {were} with him, from lying in wait.
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said to him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as {if they were} men.
And Gaal spoke again, and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
Then said Zebul to him, Where {is} now thy mouth, with which thou saidst, Who {is} Abimelech, that we should serve him? {are} not these the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown {and} wounded, {even} to the entrance of the gate.
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and behold, the people {had} come out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
And Abimelech, and the company that {was} with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two {other} companies ran upon all {the people} that {were} in the fields, and slew them.
And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that {were} in it, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard {that} , they entered into a hold of the house of the god Berith.
And it was told to Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were assembled.
And Abimelech ascended mount Zalmon, he and all the people that {were} with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid {it} on his shoulder, and said to the people that {were} with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, {and} do as I {have done} .
And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put {them} to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them: so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut {it} after them, and ascended to the top of the tower.
And Abimelech came to the tower, and fought against it, and came near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
And a certain woman cast a piece of of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and broke his skull.
Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.
Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.
And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.
And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair to this day, which {are} in the land of Gilead.
And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.
And that year they harassed and oppressed the children of Israel eighteen years, all the children of Israel that {were} on the other side of Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which {is} in Gilead.
Moreover, the children of Ammon passed over Jordan, to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was greatly distressed.
And the children of Israel cried to the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.
And the LORD said to the children of Israel, {Did} not {I deliver you} from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?
The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites oppressed you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.
Go and cry to the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.
And the children of Israel said to the LORD, We have sinned: do thou to us whatever seemeth good to thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Then the children of Ammon were assembled, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves, and encamped in Mizpeh.
And the people {and} princes of Gilead said one to another, What man {is he} that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he {was} the son of a harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
And Gilead's wife bore him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said to him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou {art} the son of a strange woman.
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and {they} went out with him.
And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
And they said to Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, Did ye not hate me, and expel me from my father's house; and why have ye come to me now when ye are in distress?
And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, The LORD be a witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.
Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.
And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou hast come against me to fight in my land?
And the king of the children of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came out of Egypt, from Arnon even to Jabbok, and to Jordan: now therefore restore those {lands} again peaceably.
And Jephthah sent messengers again to the king of the children of Ammon:
And said to him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:
But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness to the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;
Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken {to it} . And in like manner they sent to the king of Moab; but he would not {consent} . And Israel abode in Kadesh.
Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon {was} the border of Moab.
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land to my place.
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon collected all his people, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.
And they possessed all the borders of the Amorites, from Arnon even to Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to Jordan.
So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldst thou possess it?
Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.
And now {art} thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,
While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that {are} along by the borders of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover {them} within that time?
Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.
But, the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not to the words of Jephthah which he sent him.
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over {to} the children of Ammon.
And Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,
Then it shall be, that whatever cometh out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it for a burnt-offering.
So Jephthah passed over to the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.
And he smote them from Aroer even till thou comest to Minnith, {even} twenty cities, and to the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she {was his} only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth to the LORD, and I cannot go back.
And she said to him, My father, {if} thou hast opened thy mouth to the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thy enemies, {even} of the children of Ammon.
And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me: Let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.
And he said, Go. And he sent her away {for} two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.
And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned to her father, who did with her {according} to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,
{That} the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.
And the men of Ephraim assembled, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why didst thou pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee; we will burn thy house upon thee with fire.
And Jephthah said to them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.
And when I saw that ye delivered {me} not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: why then have ye come up to me this day, to fight against me?
Then Jephthah collected all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites {are} fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, {and} among the Manassites.
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was {so} , that when those Ephraimites who had escaped, said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said to him, {Art} thou an Ephraimite? If he said, No;
Then said they to him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce {it} right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan. And there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
And Jephthah judged Israel six years: then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in {one of} the cities of Gilead.
And after him Ibzan of Beth-lehem judged Israel.
And he had thirty sons and thirty daughters {whom} he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons: and he judged Israel seven years.
Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Beth-lehem.
And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years.
And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Ajalon in the country of Zebulun.
And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.
And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on seventy ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name {was} Manoah; and his wife {was} barren, and bore not.
And the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman, and said to her, Behold, now, thou {art} barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.
Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine, nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean {thing} :
For lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from his birth: and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came to me, and his countenance {was} like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he {was} , neither did he tell me his name:
But he said to me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean {thing} : for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from his birth to the day of his death.
Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, O my LORD, let the man of God, whom thou didst send come again to us, and teach us what we shall do to the child that shall be born.
And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband {was} not with her.
And the woman made haste, and ran, and showed her husband, and said to him, Behold, the man hath appeared to me, that came to me the {other} day.
And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said to him, {Art} thou the man that didst speak to the woman? And he said, I {am} .
And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and {how} shall we do to him?
And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, Of all that I said to the woman, let her beware.
She may not eat of any {thing} that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean {thing} ; all that I commanded her let her observe.
And Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.
And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, Though thou shouldst detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt-offering, thou must offer it to the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he {was} an angel of the LORD.
And Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, What {is} thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass, we may do thee honor?
And the angel of the LORD said to him, why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it {is} secret?
So Manoah took a kid, with a meat-offering, and offered {it} upon a rock to the LORD; and {the angel} did wonderously, and Manoah and his wife looked on.
For it came to pass, when the flame ascended towards heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on {it} , and fell on their faces to the ground.
But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he {was} an angel of the LORD.
And Manoah said to his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these {things} , nor would, as at this time, have told us {such things} as these.
And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me for a wife.
Then his father and his mother said to him, {Is there} not a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
But his father and his mother knew not that it {was} of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and behold, a young lion roared against him.
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and {he had} nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and behold, {there was} a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion.
And he took of it in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they ate: but he told them not that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.
So his father went down to the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
And Samson said to them, I will now propose a riddle to you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find {it} out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:
But if ye cannot declare {it} to me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said to him, propose thy riddle, that we may hear it.
And he said to them, Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said to Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare to us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take what we possess? {is it} not {so} ?
And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast proposed a riddle to the children of my people, and hast not told {it} to me. And he said to her, Behold, I have not told {it} to my father nor to my mother, and shall I tell {it} to thee?
And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she urged him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What {is} sweeter than honey? and what {is} stronger than a lion? And he said to them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments to them who expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
But it came to pass after a while, in the time of wheat-harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: {is} not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took fire-brands, and turned tail to tail, and put a fire-brand in the midst between two tails.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let {them} go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and also the standing corn, with the vineyards {and} olives.
Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
And Samson said to them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter. And he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
And the men of Judah said, Why have ye come up against us? And they answered, We have come to bind Samson, to do to him as he hath done to us.
Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines {are} rulers over us? what {is} this {that} thou hast done to us? And he said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.
And they said to him, We have come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said to them, Swear to me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.
And they spoke to him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
{And} when he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that {were} upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
And he found a fresh jaw-bone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men with it.
And Samson said, With the jaw-bone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
And it came to pass when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jaw-bone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.
And he was very thirsty, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die by thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
But God cleaved a hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water out of it; and when he had drank, his spirit came again, and he revived. Wherefore he called the name of it En-hakkore, which {is} in Lehi to this day.
And he judged Israel, in the days of the Philistines, twenty years.
Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in to her.
{And it was told} the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they encompassed {him} , and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning when it is day we shall kill him.
And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put {them} upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of a hill that {is} before Hebron.
And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name {was} Delilah.
And the lords of the Philistines came to her, and said to her, Entice him, and see in what his great strength {lieth} , and by what {means} we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred {pieces} of silver.
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, in what thy great strength {lieth} , and with what thou mayest be bound to afflict thee.
And Samson said to her, If they bind me with seven green withs, that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
Then the lords of the Philistines brought to her seven green withs, which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
(Now {there were} men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber.) And she said to him, The Philistines {are} upon thee, Samson. And he broke the withs as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
And Delilah said to Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, with what thou mayest be bound.
And he said to her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were used, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him with them, and said to him, The Philistines {are} upon thee, Samson. (And {there were} liers in wait abiding in the chamber.) And he broke them from off his arms like a thread.
And Delilah said to Samson, hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me with what thou mayest be bound. And he said to her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.
And she fastened {it} with the pin, and said to him, The Philistines {are} upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.
And she said to him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thy heart {is} not with me? Thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me in what thy great strength {lieth} .
And it came to pass when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, {so} that his soul was vexed to death;
That he told her all his heart, and said to her, There hath not come a razor upon my head; for I {have been} a Nazarite to God from my birth: if I be shaved, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any {other} man.
And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath disclosed to me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought money in their hand.
And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
And she said, the Philistines {are} upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he knew not that the LORD had departed from him.
But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.
However the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.
Then the lords of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country; who slew many of us.
And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison-house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
And Samson said to the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars upon which the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
Now the house was full of men and women: and all the lords of the Philistines {were} there: and {there were} upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.
And Samson called to the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was supported, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with {all his} might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that {were} in it. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than {they} which he slew in his life.
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought {him} up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name {was} Micah.
And he said to his mother, The eleven hundred {shekels} of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou didst curse, and speak of also in my ears, behold, the silver {is} with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed {be thou} of the LORD, my son.
And when he had restored the eleven hundred {shekels} of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver to the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it to thee.
Yet he restored the money to his mother; and his mother took two hundred {shekels} of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made of it a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.
And the man Micah had a house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
In those days {there was} no king in Israel, {but} every man did {that which was} right in his own eyes.
And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah of the family of Judah, who {was} a Levite, and he sojourned there.
And the man departed out of the city from Beth-lehem-judah, to sojourn where he could find {a place} : and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
And Micah said to him, Whence comest thou? And he said to him, I {am} a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find {a place} .
And Micah said to him, Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten {shekels} of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.
And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was to him as one of his sons.
And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
Then said Micah, Now I know that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite for {my} priest.
In those days {there was} no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought for themselves an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day {all their} inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.
And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their borders, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to explore the land, and to search it; and they said to them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
When they {were} by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said to him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this {place} ? and what hast thou here?
And he said to them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
And they said to him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
And the priest said to them, Go in peace: before the LORD {is} your way in which ye go.
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that {were} in it, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and {there was} no magistrate in the land, that might put {them} to shame in {any} thing; and they {were} far from the Zidonians, and had no business with {any} man.
And they came to their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said to them, What {say} ye?
And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and behold, it {is} very good: and {are} ye still? be not slothful to go, {and} to enter to possess the land.
When ye go, ye shall come to a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where {there} is no want of any thing that {is} on the earth.
And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
And they went up, and encamped in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan to this day: behold, {it is} behind Kirjath-jearim.
And they passed thence to mount Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah.
Then answered the five men that went to explore the country of Laish, and said to their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, {even} to the house of Micah, and saluted him.
And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, who {were} of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.
And the five men that went to explore the land went up, {and} came in thither, {and} took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men {that were} appointed with weapons of war.
And these went into Micah's house, and brought the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest to them, What do ye?
And they said to him, Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: {Is it} better for thee to be a priest to the house of one man, or that thou shouldst be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?
And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.
So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, and the cattle, and the furniture before them.
{And} when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that {were} in the houses near to Micah's house were collected, and overtook the children of Dan.
And they cried to the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said to Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye have gone away: and what have I more? and what {is} this {that} ye say to me, What aileth thee?
And the children of Dan said to him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows rush upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.
And the children of Dan departed: and when Micah saw that they {were} too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
And they took {the things} which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came to Laish, to a people {that were} at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
And {there was} no deliverer, because it {was} far from Zidon, and they had no business with {any} man; and it was in the valley that {lieth} by Beth-rehob. And they built a city and dwelt in it.
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel: but the name of the city {was} Laish at the first.
And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
And they set up for themselves Micah's graven image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
And it came to pass in those days, when {there was} no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite dwelling on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-lehem-judah.
And his concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him to her father's house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months.
And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak kindly to her, {and} to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they ate and drank, and lodged there.
And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he arose to depart: and the damsel's father said to his son-in-law, Comfort thy heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward depart.
And they sat down, and ate and drank both of them together: for the damsel's father had said to the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.
And when the man rose to depart, his father-in-law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thy heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they ate both of them.
And when the man arose to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law, the damsel's father, said to him, Behold now the day draweth towards evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day is coming to an end, lodge here, that thy heart may be merry; and to-morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.
But the man would not tarry that night, but he arose and departed, and came over against Jebus, which {is} Jerusalem; and {there were} with him two asses saddled, his concubine also {was} with him.
{And} when they {were} by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in to this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
And his master said to him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that {is} not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.
And he said to his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them {when they were} by Gibeah, which {belongeth} to Benjamin.
And they turned aside thither, to go in {and} to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat down in a street of the city: for {there was} no man that took them into his house to lodge.
And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at evening, who {was} also of mount Ephraim; and he dwelt in Gibeah: but the men of the place {were} Benjaminites.
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a way-faring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?
And he said to him, We {are} passing from Beth-lehem-Judah towards the side of mount Ephraim; from thence {am} I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I {am now} going to the house of the LORD; and there {is} no man that receiveth me into {his} house.
Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man {which is} with thy servants: {there is} no want of any thing:
And the old man said, Peace {be} with thee; however, {let} all thy wants {lie} upon me; only lodge not in the street.
So he brought him into his house, and gave provender to the asses: and they washed their feet and ate and drank.
{Now} as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house on all sides, {and} beat at the door, and spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thy house, that we may know him.
And the man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, Nay, my brethren, {nay} , I pray you, do not {so} wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this folly.
Behold, {here} is my daughter, a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good to you: but to this man do not so vile a thing.
But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth to them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord {was} , till it was light.
And her lord rose in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and behold, the woman his concubine had fallen down {at} the door of the house, and her hands {were} upon the threshhold.
And he said to her, Rise, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her upon an ass, and the man rose, and went to his place.
And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the borders of Israel.
And it was so, that all that saw it, said, There hath been no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came from the land of Egypt to this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak {your minds} .
Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, to the LORD in Mizpeh.
And the chief of all the people, {even} of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell {us} , how was this wickedness?
And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that {belongeth} to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house upon me by night, {and} thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.
And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
Behold, ye {are} all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.
And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any {of us} go to his tent, neither will we any {of us} turn into his house:
But now this {shall be} the thing which we will do to Gibeah: {we will go up} by lot against it;
And we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch provisions for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.
And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness {is} this that is done among you?
Now therefore deliver {us} the men, the children of Belial, who {are} in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and banish evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren, the children of Israel:
But the children of Benjamin assembled out of the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
Among all this people {there were} seven hundred chosen men left-handed; every one could sling stones to a hair -{breadth} , and not miss.
And the men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these {were} men of war.
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah {shall go up} first.
And the children of Israel rose in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.
And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
And the children of Benjamin came forth from Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.
(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until evening, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)
And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.
And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD.
And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God {was} there in those days,
And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to-morrow I will deliver them into thy hand.
And Israel set liers in wait around Gibeah.
And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, {and} were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, {and} kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
And the children of Benjamin said, They {are} smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city to the highways.
And all the men of Israel rose out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, {even} out of the meadows of Gibeah.
And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was severe: but they knew not that evil {was} near them.
And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjaminites that day twenty and five thousand and a hundred men: all these drew the sword.
So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjaminites, because they trusted to the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew {themselves} along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.
Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke to rise from the city.
And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite {and} kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as {in} the first battle.
But when the flame began to rise from the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the flame of the city ascended to heaven.
And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil had come upon them.
Therefore they turned {their backs} before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them who {came} out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
{Thus} they inclosed the Benjaminites on all sides, {and} chased them, {and} trod them down with ease over against Gibeah towards the sun-rising.
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these {were} men of valor.
And they turned and fled towards the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them to Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these {were} men of valor.
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness to the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of {every} city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.
Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter to Benjamin for a wife.
And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept bitterly;
And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to-day one tribe lacking in Israel?
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings.
And the children of Israel said, Who {is there} among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation to the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.
And the children of Israel repented for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.
How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD, that we will not give them of our daughters for wives?
And they said, What one {is there} of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? and behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.
For the people were numbered, and behold, {there were} none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.
And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.
And this {is} the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which {is} in the land of Canaan.
And the whole congregation sent {some} to speak to the children of Benjamin that {were} in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably to them.
And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.
And the people repented for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
And they said, {There must be} an inheritance for them that have escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
But, we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed {be} he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.
Then they said, Behold, {there is} a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly {in a place} which {is} on the north side of Beth-el, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Beth-el to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go, and lie in wait in the vineyards;
And see, and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come to us to complain, that we will say to them, Be favorable to them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give to them at this time, {that} ye should be guilty.
And the children of Benjamin did so, and took {them} wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned to their inheritance, and repaired the cities and dwelt in them.
And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went from thence every man to his inheritance.
In those days {there was} no king in Israel: every man did {that which was} right in his own eyes.
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to dwell in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
And the name of the man {was} Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took to themselves wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one {was} Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left by her two sons and her husband.
Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
Wherefore she went forth from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each {of you} in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
And they said to her, surely we will return with thee to thy people.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? shall I bear more sons, that they may be your husbands?
Turn again, my daughters, go {your way} ; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, {if} I should have a husband also to-night, and should also bear sons;
Would ye wait for them till they should be grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes, that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth cleaved to her.
And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law hath gone back to her people, and to her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law.
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, {or} to return from following thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people {shall be} my people, and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, {if aught} but death shall part thee and me.
When she saw that she was steadfastly resolved to go with her, then she left speaking to her.
So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they had come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, {Is} this Naomi?
And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why {then} call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley-harvest.
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name {was} Boaz.
And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after {him} in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said to her, Go, my daughter.
And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her lot was to light on a part of the field {belonging} to Boaz, who {was} of the kindred of Elimelech.
And behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said to the reapers, The LORD {be} with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
Then said Boaz to his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel {is} this?
And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It {is} the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi from the country of Moab:
And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
Then said Boaz to Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
{Let} thy eyes {be} on the field that they are reaping, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art thirsty go to the vessels, and drink of {that} which the young men have drawn.
Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found grace in thy eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me, seeing I {am} a stranger?
And Boaz answered and said to her, It hath fully been shown to me, all that thou hast done to thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband: and {how} thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and hast come to a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou hast come to trust.
Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken kindly to thy handmaid, though I am not like to one of thy handmaidens.
And Boaz said to her, At meal-time come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched {corn} , and she ate, and was satisfied, and left.
And when she had risen to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
And let fall also {some} of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave {them} , that she may glean {them} , and rebuke her not.
So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out that which she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
And she took {it} , and went into the city: and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her what she had reserved after she was satisfied.
And her mother-in-law said to her, Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where hast thou labored? blessed be he that took knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to-day {is} Boaz.
And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed {be} he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said to her, The man {is} near of kin to us, one of our next kinsmen.
And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said to me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, {It is} good, my daughter, that thou shouldst go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean to the end of barley-harvest and of wheat-harvest; and dwelt with her mother-in-law.
Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
And now {is} not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and go down to the floor: {but} make not thyself known to the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
And it shall be when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
And she said to her, All that thou sayest to me I will do.
And she went down to the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.
And when Boaz had eaten and drank, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid herself down.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And he said, Who {art} thou? And she answered, I {am} Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou {art} a near kinsman.
And he said, Blessed {be} thou of the LORD, my daughter: {for} thou hast shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou didst not follow young men, whether poor or rich.
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou {art} a virtuous woman.
And now it is true that I {am thy} near kinsman: yet there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, {that} if he will perform to thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, {as} the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came to the floor.
Also he said, Bring the vail that {thou hast} upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six {measures} of barley, and laid {it} on her: and she went into the city.
And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who {art} thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
And she said, These six {measures} of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou knowest how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he hath finished the thing this day.
Then Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there: and behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, that has come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which {was} our brother Elimelech's:
And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy {it} before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem {it} , redeem {it} : but if thou wilt not redeem {it} , {then} tell me, that I may know: for {there is} none to redeem {it} besides thee; and I {am} after thee. And he said, I will redeem {it} .
Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy {it} also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem {it} for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem {it} .
Now this {was the manner} in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for confirming all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave {it} to his neighbor: and this {was} a testimony in Israel.
Therefore the kinsman said to Boaz, Buy {it} for thyself. So he drew off his shoe.
And Boaz said to the elders, and {to} all the people, Ye {are} witnesses this day, that I have bought all that {was} Elimelech's, and all that {was} Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye {are} witnesses this day.
And all the people that {were} in the gate, and the elders said, {We are} witnesses. The LORD make the woman that hath come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:
And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.
And the women said to Naomi, Blessed {be} the LORD, who hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
And he shall be to thee a restorer of {thy} life, and a nourisher of thy old age: for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became its nurse.
And the women, her neighbors, gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he {is} the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Now these {are} the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name {was} Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
And he had two wives; the name of the one {was} Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
And this man went up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, {were} there.
And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah; but the LORD had rendered her barren.
And her adversary also provoked her greatly, to make her fret, because the LORD had made her barren.
And {as} he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? {am} not I better to thee than ten sons?
So Hannah rose after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drank. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
And she {was} in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly.
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give to thy handmaid a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli observed her mouth.
Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
And Eli said to her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I {am} a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drank neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
Count not thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant {thee} thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
And she said, Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more {sad} .
And they rose in the morning early, and worshiped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time had arrived, after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called his name Samuel, {saying} , Because I have asked him of the LORD.
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
But Hannah went not up; for she said to her husband, {I will not go up} until the child is weaned, and {then} I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
And Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seemeth to thee good; tarry until thou hast weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and nursed her son until she weaned him.
And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child {was} young.
And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
And she said, O my lord, {as} thy soul liveth, my lord, I {am} the woman that stood by thee here, praying to the LORD.
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshiped the LORD there.
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD; my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
{There is} none holy as the LORD: for {there is} none besides thee: neither {is there} any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let {not} arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD {is} a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty men {are} broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
{They that were} full have hired out themselves for bread; and {they that were} hungry ceased: so that the barren hath borne seven; and she that hath many children is become feeble.
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth the poor out of the dust, {and} lifteth the beggar from the dunghill, to set {them} among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth {are} the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest.
Now the sons of Eli {were} sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
And the priest's custom with the people {was} , {that} , when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand;
And he struck {it} into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the flesh-hook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites that came thither.
Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have boiled flesh of thee, but raw.
And {if} any man said to him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and {then} take {as much} as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, {No} ; but thou shalt give {it to me} now: and if not, I will take {it} by force.
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
But Samuel ministered before the LORD, {being} a child, girded with a linen ephod.
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought {it} to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband, to offer the yearly sacrifice.
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee issue of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went to their own home.
And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did to all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he said to them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
No, my sons; for {it is} no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
If one man shall sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man shall sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not to the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
And the child Samuel continued to grow, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men.
And there came a man of God to Eli, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear to the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel {to be} my priest, to offer upon my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give to the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded {in my} habitation; and honorest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed {that} thy house, and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thy arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thy house.
And thou shalt see an enemy {in my} habitation, in all {the wealth} which {God} shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thy house for ever.
And the man of thine, {whom} I shall not cut off from my altar, {shall be} to consume thy eyes, and to grieve thy heart: and all the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.
And this {shall be} a sign to thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them.
And I will raise me up a faithful priest, {that} shall do according to {that} which {is} in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before my Anointed for ever.
And it shall come to pass, {that} every one that is left in thy house, shall come {and} crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priest's offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; {there was} no open vision.
And it came to pass at that time, when Eli {was} laid down in his place, and his eyes began to grow dim, {that} he could not see;
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God {was} , and Samuel was laid down {to sleep} ;
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here {am} I.
And he ran to Eli, and said, Here {am} I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here {am} I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here {am} I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he should call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the LORD came, and stood and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
In that day I will perform against Eli all {things} which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
For I have told him, that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth: because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD: and Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here {am} I.
And he said, What {is} the thing that {the LORD} hath said to thee? I pray thee hide {it} not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou shalt hide {any} thing from me, of all the things that he said to thee.
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It {is} the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground.
And all Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, knew that Samuel {was} established {to be} a prophet of the LORD.
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why hath the LORD smitten us to-day before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh to us, that when it cometh among us, it may save us from the hand of our enemies.
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwelleth {between} the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, {were} there with the ark of the covenant of God.
And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded.
And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What {meaneth} the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.
And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God hath come into the camp. And they said, Woe to us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
Woe to us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these {are} the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
Be strong, and acquit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye may not be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you: acquit yourselves like men, and fight.
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the way-side watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told {it} , all the city cried out.
And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What {meaneth} the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
And the man said to Eli, I {am} he that came out of the army, and I fled to-day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
And the messenger answered and said, Israel hath fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
And his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was with child {near} to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law, and her husband were dead, she bowed herself, and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
And about the time of her death, the women that stood by her said to her, Fear not; for thou hast borne a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard {it} .
And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory hath departed from Israel. (Because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.)
And she said, The glory hath departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer to Ashdod.
When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon {had} fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD: and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands {were} cut off upon the threshhold; only {the stump of} Dagon was left to him.
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshhold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, {even} Ashdod, and its borders.
And when the men of Ashdod saw that {it was} so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is severe upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
They sent therefore, and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about to Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel {thither} .
And it was {so} , that after they had carried it thither, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
So they sent and convened all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
And the men that died not, were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us with what we shall send it to its place.
And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass-offering: then ye will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
Then said they, What {shall be} the trespass-offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, {according to} the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague {was} on you all, and on your lords.
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory to the God of Israel: it may be he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
Why then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch-cows on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold which ye return to him {for} a trespass-offering, in a coffer by its side; and send it away, that it may go.
And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, {then} he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know, that {it is} not his hand {that} smote us; it {was} a chance {that} happened to us.
And the men did so; and took two milch cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
And the cows took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, {and} went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside {to} the right hand or {to} the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth-shemesh.
And {they of} Beth-shemesh {were} reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see {it} .
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood there, where {there was} a great stone: and they cleaved the wood of the cart, and offered the cows a burnt-offering to the LORD.
And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that {was} with it, in which {were} the jewels of gold, and put {them} on the great stone: and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to the LORD.
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen {it} , they returned to Ekron the same day.
And these {are} the golden emerods which the Philistines returned {for} a trespass-offering to the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
And the golden mice, {according to} the number of all the cities of the Philistines {belonging} to the five lords, {both} of fortified cities, and of country villages, even to the great {stone of} Abel, on which they set down the ark of the LORD: {which stone remaineth} to this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.
And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and seventy men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten {many} of the people with a great slaughter.
And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, {and} bring it up to you.
And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and brought up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return to the LORD with all your hearts, {then} put away the strange gods, and Ashtaroth, from among you, and prepare your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.
Then the children of Israel put away Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you to the LORD.
And they assembled at Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured {it} out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and there said, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were assembled at Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard {it} , they were afraid of the Philistines.
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to the LORD our God for us, that he will save us from the hand of the Philistines.
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered {it for} a burnt-offering wholly to the LORD: and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
And as Samuel was offering the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until {they came} under Beth-car.
Then Samuel took a stone, and set {it} between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the borders of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and the borders of it did Israel deliver from the hands of the Philistines: and there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
And his return {was} to Ramah; for there {was} his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar to the LORD.
And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: {they were} judges in Beer-sheba.
And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Then all the elders of Israel assembled, and came to Samuel to Ramah,
And said to him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us: and Samuel prayed to the LORD.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say to thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them out of Egypt even to this day, by which they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also to thee.
Now therefore hearken to their voice: yet protest solemnly to them, and show them the manner of the king that will reign over them.
And Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people that asked of him a king.
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint {them} for himself, for his chariots, and {to be} his horsemen; and {some} will run before his chariots.
And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and {will set them} to till his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
And he will take your daughters {to be} confectioneries, and {to be} cooks, and {to be} bakers.
And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards, {even} the best {of them} , and give {them} to his servants.
And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your most choice young men, and your asses, and put {them} to his work.
He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye will be his servants.
And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen for yourselves; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but we will have a king over us;
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken to their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go ye every man to his city.
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name {was} Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a mighty man of power.
And he had a son, whose name {was} Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and {there was} not among the children of Israel a more handsome person than he: from his shoulders and upward {he was} higher than any of the people.
And the asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found {them} not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and {there they were} not: and he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they found {them} not.
{And} when they had come to the land of Zuf, Saul said to his servant that {was} with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave {caring} for the asses, and be anxious for us.
And he said to him, Behold now, {there is} in this city a man of God, and {he is} an honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; it may be he can show us our way that we should go.
Then said Saul to his servant, But behold, {if} we go, what shall we bring to the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and {there} is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: {that} will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the seer: for {he that is} now {called} a Prophet was formerly called a Seer.)
Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go: so they went to the city where the man of God {was} .
{And} as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here?
And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, {he is} before you: make haste now, for he came to-day to the city; for {there is} a sacrifice of the people to-day in the high place:
As soon as ye shall enter the city, ye will straightway find him, before he goeth up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he cometh, because he doth bless the sacrifice; {and} afterwards they eat that are invited. Now therefore go up: for about this time ye will find him.
And they went up into the city: {and} when they had come into the city, behold, Samuel came out meeting them, to go up to the high place.
Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
To-morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him {to be} captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people from the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.
And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, Behold the man of whom I spoke to thee! this same shall reign over my people.
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house {is} .
And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I {am} the seer: go up before me to the high place; for ye shall eat with me to-day, and to-morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that {is} in thy heart.
And as for thy asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom {is} all the desire of Israel? {Is it} not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
And Saul answered and said, {Am} not I a Benjaminite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then speakest thou so to me?
And Samuel took Saul, and his servant, and brought them into the parlor, and made them sit in the chief place among them that were invited, who {were} about thirty persons.
And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said to thee, Set it by thee.
And the cook took up the shoulder, and {that} which {was} upon it, and set {it} before Saul. And {Samuel} said, Behold that which is left! set {it} before thee, {and} eat; for to this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
And when they had come down from the high place into the city, {Samuel} communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
And they rose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Arise, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
{And} as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.
Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured {it} upon his head, and kissed him, and said, {Is it} not because the LORD hath anointed thee {to be} captain over his inheritance?
When thou hast departed from me to-day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulcher in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
And they will salute thee, and give thee two {loaves} of bread; which thou shalt receive from their hands.
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where {is} the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou hast come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp before them; and they will prophesy:
And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
And let it be, when these signs have come to thee, {that} thou do as occasion shall serve thee; for God {is} with thee.
And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to thee, to offer burnt-offerings, {and} to sacrifice sacrifices of peace-offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.
And it was {so} , that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
And it came to pass when all that formerly knew him saw, that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What {is} this {that} hath come to the son of Kish? {Is} Saul also among the prophets?
And one of the same place answered and said, But who {is} their father? Therefore it became a proverb, {Is} Saul also among the prophets?
And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that {they were} no where, we came to Samuel.
And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, What Samuel said to you.
And Saul said to his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he told him not.
And Samuel called the people together to the LORD to Mizpeh;
And said to the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, {and} of them that oppressed you:
And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities, and your tribulations; and ye have said to him, {No} , but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man would yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
And they ran and brought him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that {there is} none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote {it} in a book, and laid {it} up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this {condition} will I make {a covenant} with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it {for} a reproach upon all Israel.
And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days respit, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel: and then, if {there is} no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people; and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
And behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What {aileth} the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent {them} throughout all the borders of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
And they said to the messengers that came, thus shall ye say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, To-morrow by {the time} the sun is hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and showed {it} to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow we will come out to you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good to you.
And it was {so} on the morrow, that Saul disposed the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning-watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they who remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
And the people said to Samuel, Who {is} he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to-day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal: and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace-offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
And Samuel said to all Israel, behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all that ye said to me, and have made a king over you.
And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and gray-headed; and behold, my sons {are} with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood to this day.
Behold, here I {am} : witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed; whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or from whose hand have I received {any} bribe to blind my eyes with it? and I will restore it you.
And they said thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught from any man's hand.
And he said to them, The LORD {is} witness against you, and his anointed {is} witness this day, that ye have not found aught in my hand. And they answered, {He is} witness.
And Samuel said to the people, {It is} the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt.
Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.
When Jacob had come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your fathers from Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
And when they forgot the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
And they cried to the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
And the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you from the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelt safe.
And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said to me, No; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God {was} your king.
Now therefore, behold the king whom ye have chosen, {and} whom ye have desired! and behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye, and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God.
But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as {it was} against your fathers.
Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
{Is it} not wheat-harvest to-day? I will call to the LORD, and he will send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness {is} great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
So Samuel called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins {this} evil, to ask us a king.
And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
And turn ye not aside: for then {would ye go} after vain {things} , which cannot profit nor deliver; for they {are} vain.
For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
Moreover as for me, Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great {things} he hath done for you.
But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye will be consumed, both ye and your king.
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
Saul chose him three thousand {men} of Israel; {of which} two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that {was} in Geba; and the Philistines heard {of it} . And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
And all Israel heard it said {that} Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and {that} Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines: and the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
And the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which {is} on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed) then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
And {some of} the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he {was} yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel {had appointed} : but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt-offering to me, and peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering.
And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and {that} thou camest not within the days appointed, and {that} the Philistines assembled at Michmash;
Therefore said I, the Philistines will now come down upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD; I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt-offering.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him {to be} captain over his people, because thou hast not kept {that} which the LORD commanded thee.
And Samuel arose, and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people {that were} present with him, about six hundred men.
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people {that were} present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way {that leadeth to} Ophrah, to the land of Shual:
And another company turned the way {to} Beth-horon: and another company turned {to} the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim towards the wilderness.
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: (for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make {them} swords or spears:)
But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his colter, and his ax, and his mattock.
Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the colters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that {were} with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, that {is} on the other side. But he told not his father.
And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which {is} in Migron: and the people that {were} with him {were} about six hundred men;
And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
And between the passages by which Jonathan sought to go over to the garrison of the Philistines, {there was} a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one {was} Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
The front of the one {was} situated northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for {there is} no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that {is} in thy heart: turn thee; behold, I {am} with thee according to thy heart.
Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over to {these} men, and we will discover ourselves to them.
If they say thus to us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.
But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand; and this {shall be} a sign to us.
And both of them discovered themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armor-bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor-bearer slew after him.
And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were a half-acre of land, {which} a yoke {of oxen might plow} .
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down {one another} .
Then said Saul to the people that {were} with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer {were} not {there} .
And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
And it came to pass while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise that {was} in the host of the Philistines went on, and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw thy hand.
And Saul and all the people that {were} with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, {and there was} a very great discomfiture.
Moreover the Hebrews {that} were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp {from the country} around, even they also {turned} to be with the Israelites that {were} with Saul and Jonathan.
Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, {when} they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over to Beth-aven.
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed {be} the man that eateth {any} food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted {any} food.
And all {they of} the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
And when the people had come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that {was} in his hand, and dipped it in a honey-comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed {be} the man that eateth {any} food this day. And the people were faint.
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ajalon: and the people were very faint.
And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen, and calves, and slew {them} on the ground: and the people ate {them} with the blood.
Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone to me this day.
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay {them} here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew {them} there.
And Saul built an altar to the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built to the LORD:
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatever seemeth good to thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither to God.
And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
And Saul said, Draw ye near hither all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
For {as} the LORD liveth, who saveth Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But {there was} not a man among all the people {that} answered him.
Then said he to all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul, Do what seemeth good to thee.
Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect {lot} . And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
And Saul said, Cast {lots} between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that {was} in my hand, {and} , lo, I must die.
And Saul answered, God do so, and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? By no means: {as} the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he harassed {them} .
And he gathered a host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of them that spoiled them.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters {were these} ; the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
And the name of Saul's {wife} was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host {was} Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
And Kish {was} the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner {was} the son of Abiel.
And there was violent war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him to himself.
Samuel also said to Saul, the LORD sent me to anoint thee {to be} king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou to the voice of the words of the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember {that} which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid {wait} for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
And Saul assembled the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
And Saul said to the Kenites, Go, depart, withdraw yourselves from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up from Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah, {until} thou comest to Shur, that {is} over against Egypt.
And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all {that was} good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing {that was} vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Then came the word of the LORD to Samuel, saying,
I repent that I have set up Saul {to be} king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried to the LORD all night.
And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set him up a place, and has gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said to him, Blessed {be} thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
And Samuel said, What {meaneth} then this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
Then Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said to him, Say on.
And Samuel said, When thou {wast} little in thy own sight, {wast} thou not {made} the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.
Why then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
And Saul said to Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD {as great} delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey {is} better than sacrifice, {and} to hearken than the fat of rams.
For rebellion {is as} the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness {is as} iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from {being} king.
And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words; because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
And Samuel said to Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
And as Samuel turned about to depart, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
And Samuel said to him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, {that is} better than thou.
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he {is} not a man, that he should repent.
Then he said, I have sinned: {yet} honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD.
Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came to him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
And the LORD said to Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thy horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul shall hear {it} , he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.
And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint to me {him} whom I name to thee.
And Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
And he said, Peaceably: I have come to sacrifice to the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
And it came to pass when they had come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed {is} before him.
But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the hight of his stature; because I have refused him: for {the LORD seeth} not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
And Samuel said to Jesse, Are here all {thy} children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and bring him: for we will not sit down till he hath come hither.
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he {was} ruddy, {and} also of a beautiful countenance, and a good appearance. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this {is} he.
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose, and went to Ramah.
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Let our lord now command thy servants, {who are} before thee, to seek a man {who is} a skillful player on a harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he will play with his hand, and thou wilt be well.
And Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring {him} to me.
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, {that is} skillful in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD {is} with him.
Wherefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, Send to me David thy son, who {is} with the sheep.
And Jesse took an ass {laden} with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent {them} by David his son to Saul.
And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor-bearer.
And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight.
And it came to pass, when the {evil} spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
Now the Philistines collected their armies to battle, and were assembled at Shochoh, which {belongeth} to Judah, and encamped between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
And Saul and the men of Israel were assembled and encamped by the valley of Elah, and {they} set the battle in array against the Philistines.
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and {there was} a valley between them.
And there went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose hight {was} six cubits and a span.
And {he had} a helmet of brass upon his head, and he {was} armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat {was} five thousand shekels of brass.
And {he had} greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
And the staff of his spear {was} like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head {weighed} six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
And he stood and cried to the armies of Israel, and said to them, Why have ye come out to set {your} battle in array? {am} not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
If he shall be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I shall prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
Now David {was} the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name {was} Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men {for} an old man in the days of Saul.
And the three eldest sons of Jesse went {and} followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle {were} Eliab the first-born, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
And David {was} the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.
And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
And Jesse said to David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched {corn} , and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of {their} thousand, and see how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, {were} in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
And David rose early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
And David left his furniture in the hand of the keeper of the vessels, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, from the armies of the Philistines, and spoke according to the same words: and David heard {them} .
And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were exceedingly afraid.
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that hath come up? surely to defy Israel hath he come: and it shall be, {that} the man who shall kill him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who {is} this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou art come down that thou mayest see the battle.
And David said, What have I now done? {Is there} not a cause?
And he turned from him towards another, and spoke after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
And when the words were heard which David spoke, they rehearsed {them} before Saul: and he sent for him.
And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou {art but} a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
And David said to Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
And I went after him, and smote him, and delivered {it} out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught {him} by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he essayed to go; for he had not proved {it} . And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I have not proved {them} . And David put them off from him.
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling {was} in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine.
And the Philistine advanced and drew near to David; and the man that bore the shield {went} before him.
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
And the Philistine said to David, {Am} I a dog, that thou comest to me with staffs? and the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
This day will the LORD deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day to the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle {is} the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran towards the army to meet the Philistine.
And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and hurled it with his sling, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but {there was} no sword in the hand of David.
Therefore David ran and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron.
And the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents.
And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.
And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner the captain of the host, Abner, whose son {is} this youth? And Abner said, {As} thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling {is} .
And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
And Saul said to him, Whose son {art} thou, {thou} young man? And David answered, I {am} the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that {was} upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, {and} behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
And it came to pass as they came, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.
And the women answered {one another} as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; and {what} can he have more but the kingdom?
And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and {there was} a javelin in Saul's hand.
And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David escaped from his presence twice.
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.
Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD {was} with him.
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
And Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee for a wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
And David said to Saul, Who {am} I? and what {is} my life, {or} my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?
But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
And Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law, in {the one of} the two.
And Saul commanded his servants, {saying} , Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son-in-law.
And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you {a} light {thing} to be a king's son-in-law, seeing that I {am} a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spoke David.
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dower, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law: and the days had not expired.
Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.
And Saul saw and knew that the LORD {was} with David, and {that} Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him.
And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass after they went forth, {that} David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much esteemed.
And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now, therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret {place} , and hide thyself:
And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou {art} , and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works {have been} toward thee very good:
For he put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest {it} , and didst rejoice: Why then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan: and Saul swore, {As} the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with {his} hand.
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away from Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
Saul also sent messengers to David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, If thou dost not save thy life to-night, to-morrow thou wilt be slain.
So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
And Michal took an image, and laid {it} in the bed, and put a pillow of goat's {hair} for his bolster, and covered {it} with a cloth.
And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He {is} sick.
And Saul sent the messengers {again} to see David, saying, Bring him to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
And when the messengers had come in, behold, {there was} an image in the bed, with a pillow of goat's {hair} for his bolster.
And Saul said to Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away my enemy, that he has escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said to me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
And it was told to Saul, saying, Behold, David {is} at Naioth in Ramah.
And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing {as} appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
Then he went also to Ramah, and came to a great well that {is} in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where {are} Samuel and David? And {one} said, Behold, {they are} at Naioth in Ramah.
And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, {Is} Saul also among the prophets?
And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what {is} my iniquity? and what {is} my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
And he said to him, Far be it from thee; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing, either great or small, but that he will show it to me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it {is} not {so} .
And David swore moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thy eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he should be grieved: But truly {as} the LORD liveth, and {as} thy soul liveth, {there is} but a step between me and death.
Then said Jonathan to David, Whatever thy soul desireth, I will even do {it} for thee.
And David said to Jonathan, Behold, to morrow {is} the new-moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third {day} at evening.
If thy father shall at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked {leave} of me, that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for {there is} a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
If he shall say thus, {It is} well; thy servant will have peace: but if he shall be very wroth, {then} be sure that evil is determined by him.
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there is in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldst thou bring me to thy father?
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil is determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what {if} thy father shall answer thee roughly?
And Jonathan said to David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
And Jonathan said to David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to-morrow any time, {or} the third {day} , and behold, {if there be} good towards David, and I then send not to thee, and show it thee;
The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it shall please my father {to do} thee evil, then I will show it to thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
And thou shalt, not only while yet I live, show me the kindness of the LORD, that I may not die:
But {also} thou shalt not withdraw thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
So Jonathan made {a covenant} with the house of David, {saying} , Let the LORD even require {it} at the hand of David's enemies.
And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
Then Jonathan said to David, To-morrow {is} the new-moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
And {when} thou hast stayed three days, {then} thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was {in hand} , and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
And I will shoot three arrows on the side {of it} , as though I shot at a mark.
And behold, I will send a lad, {saying} , Go, find the arrows. If I expressly say to the lad, Behold, the arrows {are} on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for {there is} peace to thee, and no hurt; {as} the LORD liveth.
But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows {are} beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.
And {as to} the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD {be} between thee and me for ever.
So David hid himself in the field: and when the new-moon had come, the king sat down to eat food.
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, {even} upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
Nevertheless Saul spoke not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he {is} not clean; surely he {is} not clean.
And it came to pass on the morrow, {which was} the second {day} of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said to Jonathan his son, Why cometh not the son of Jesse to eat, neither yesterday, nor to-day?
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked {leave} of me {to go} to Beth-lehem:
And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother he hath commanded me {to be there} : and now if I have found favor in thy eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not to the king's table.
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious {woman} , do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thy own confusion, and to the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, Why shall he be slain? what hath he done?
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to slay David.
So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
And he said to his lad, Run, find now the arrows which I shoot. {And} as the lad ran, he shot an arrow, beyond him.
And when the lad had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, {Is} not the arrow beyond thee?
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
And Jonathan gave his arms to his lad, and said to him, Go, carry {them} to the city.
{And} as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of {a place} towards the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said to him, Why {art} thou alone, and no man with thee?
And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed {my} servants to such and such a place.
Now therefore what is under thy hand? give {me} five {loaves of} bread in my hand, or what there is present.
And the priest answered David, and said, {There is} no common bread under my hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
And David answered the priest, and said to him, Of a truth women {have been} kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and {the bread is} in a manner common, yes, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
So the priest gave him hallowed {bread} : for there was no bread there but the show-bread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul {was} there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name {was} Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdmen that {belonged} to Saul.
And David said to Ahimelech, And is there not here under thy hand a spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it {is here} wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take {it} : for {there is} no other save that here. And David said, {There is} none like that; give it to me.
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
And the servants of Achish said to him, {Is} not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
And David laid up these words in his heart, and was greatly afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
Then said Achish to his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: why {then} have ye brought him to me?
Have I need of mad-men, that ye have brought this {man} to play the mad-man in my presence? shall this {man} come into my house?
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard {it} , they went down thither to him.
And every one {that was} in distress, and every one that {was} in debt, and every one {that was} discontented, resorted to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said to the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, {and be} with you, till I know what God will do for me.
And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.
And the prophet Gad said to David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and come into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that {were} with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants {were} standing about him;)
Then Saul said to his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjaminites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, {and} make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
That all of you have conspired against me, and {there is} none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and {there is} none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth to me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that {were} in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I {am} , my lord.
And Saul said to him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who {is so} faithful among all thy servants as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honorable in thy house?
Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me. Let not the king impute {any} thing to his servant, {nor} to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.
And the king said to the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also {is} with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day eighty and five persons that wore a linen ephod.
And Nob, the city of the priests, he smote with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.
And David said to Abiathar, I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite {was} there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned {the death} of all the persons of thy father's house.
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou {shalt be} in safeguard.
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said to David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
And David's men said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.
So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, {that} he came down {with} an ephod in his hand.
And it was told to Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
And David knew that Saul secretly plotted mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.
Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver {thee} up.
Then David and his men {who were} about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah: and he forbore to go forth.
And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
And David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life: and David {was} in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
And he said to him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou wilt be king over Israel, and I shall be next to thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which {is} on the south of Jeshimon?
Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part {shall be} to deliver him into the king's hand.
And Saul said, Blessed {be} ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know, and see his place where his haunt is, {and} who hath seen him there: for it is told to me {that} he dealeth very subtilly.
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he is in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men {were} in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
Saul also and his men went to seek {him} . And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard {that} , he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men around to take them.
But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth.
Then David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi.
And it came to pass, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told to him, saying, Behold, David {is} in the wilderness of En-gedi.
Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
And he came to the sheep-cotes by the way, where {was} a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
And the men of David said to him, Behold the day of which the LORD said to thee, Behold, I will deliver thy enemy into thy hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good to thee. Then David arose, and privately cut off the skirt of Saul's robe.
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
And he said to his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he {is} the anointed of the LORD.
So David restrained his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose out of the cave, and went on {his} way.
David also rose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
Behold, this day thy eyes have seen how the LORD hath delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave; and {some} bade {me} kill thee: but {my eye} spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he {is} the LORD'S anointed.
Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that {there is} neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but my hand shall not be upon thee.
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon thee.
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?
The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.
And it came to pass when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, {Is} this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
And he said to David, thou {art} more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded thee with evil.
And thou hast showed this day how thou hast dealt with me; forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thy hand, thou didst not kill me.
For if a man findeth his enemy, will he let him go away well? wherefore the LORD reward thee with good, for what thou hast done to me this day.
And now, behold, I know well that thou wilt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in thy hand.
Swear now therefore to me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men repaired to the hold.
And Samuel died; and all the Israelites assembled, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
And {there} was a man in Maon, whose possessions {were} in Carmel; and the man {was} very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Now the name of the man {was} Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and {she was} a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man {was} churlish and evil in his doings; and he {was} of the house of Caleb.
And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
And David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
And thus shall ye say to him that liveth {in prosperity} , Peace {be} both to thee, and peace {be} to thy house, and peace {be} to all that thou hast.
And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds who were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there aught missing to them, all the while they were in Carmel.
Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favor in thy eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatever cometh to thy hand, to thy servants, and to thy son David.
And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal in the name of David, according to all these words, and ceased.
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who {is} David? and who {is} the son of Jesse? there are many servants in these days that break away every man from his master.
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give {it} to men, whom I know not whence they {are} ?
So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all these sayings.
And David said to his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the goods.
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers from the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed at them.
But the men {were} very good to us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:
They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do: for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he {is such} a son of Belial, that {a man} cannot speak to him.
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched {corn} , and a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid {them} on asses.
And she said to her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.
And it was {so} , {as} she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and behold, David and his men came down over against her; and she met them.
(Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this {man} hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that {pertained} to him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
So and more also do God to the enemies of David, if I leave of all that {pertain} to him by the morning light any male person.)
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground.
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, {upon} me {let this} iniquity {be} : and let thy handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thy audience, and hear the words of thy handmaid.
Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, {even} Nabal; for as his name {is} , so {is} he; Nabal {is} his name, and folly {is} with him: but I thy handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
Now therefore, my lord, {as} the LORD liveth, and {as} thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withheld thee from coming to {shed} blood, and from avenging thyself with thy own hand, now let thy enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
And now this blessing which thy handmaid hath brought to my lord, let it even be given to the young men that follow my lord.
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thy handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee {all} thy days.
Yet a man hath risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thy enemies, them shall he sling out, {as from} the middle of a sling.
And it will come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
That this will be no grief to thee, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that thou hast shed blood without cause, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thy handmaid.
And David said to Abigail, Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me:
And blessed {be} thy advice, and blessed {be} thou, who hast kept me this day from coming to {shed} blood, and from avenging myself with my own hand.
For in very deed, {as} the LORD God of Israel liveth, who hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left to Nabal by the morning light any male person.
So David received from her hand {that} which she had brought him, and said to her, Return in peace to thy house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
And Abigail came to Nabal; and behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart {was} merry within him, for he {was} very drunken: Therefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine had left Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became {as} a stone.
And it came to pass about ten days {after} , that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed {be} the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to himself for a wife.
And when the servants of David had come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, David hath sent us to thee, to take thee to him for a wife.
And she arose, and bowed herself on {her} face to the earth, and said, Behold, {let} thy handmaid {be} a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.
David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.
But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, who {was} of Gallim.
And the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, {which is} before Jeshimon?
Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which {is} before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had come in very deed.
And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched around him.
Then answered David, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay about him.
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thy enemy into thy hand this day; now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear, even to the earth at once, and I will not {smite} him the second time.
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed and be guiltless?
David said furthermore, {As} the LORD liveth, the LORD will smite him; or his day will come to die; or he will descend into battle and perish.
The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that {is} at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they departed, and no man saw {it} , nor knew {it} , neither awaked: for they {were} all asleep: because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off; a great space {being} between them:
And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who {art} thou {that} criest to the king?
And David said to Abner, {Art} not thou a {valiant} man? and who {is} like to thee in Israel? why then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came in one of the people to destroy the king thy lord.
This thing {is} not good that thou hast done. {As} the LORD liveth, {ye are} worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear {is} , and the cruse of water that {was} at his bolster.
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, {Is} this thy voice, my son David? and David said, {It is} my voice, my lord, O king.
And he said, Why doth my lord thus pursue his servant? for what have I done? or what evil {is} in my hand?
Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if {they are} the children of men, cursed {be} they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel hath come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thy eyes this day: behold I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and take it.
The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into {my} hand to-day, but I would not stretch forth my hand against the LORD'S anointed.
And behold, as thy life was precious this day in my eyes, so let my life be precious in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
Then Saul said to David, Blessed {be} thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great {things} , and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: {there is} nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in any border of Israel; so shall I escape from his hand.
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that {were} with him to Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, {even} David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess Nabal's wife.
And it was told to Saul that David had fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
And David said to Achish, If I have now found grace in thy eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth to the kings of Judah to this day.
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those {nations were} of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.
And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to-day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring {tidings} to Gath, saying, Lest they should inform against us, saying, So did David, and so {will be} his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines collected their armies for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.
And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of my head for ever.
Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
And the Philistines assembled, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul collected all Israel, and they encamped in Gilboa.
And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Then said Saul to his servants, seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, {there is} a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine to me by the familiar spirit, and bring up for me whom I shall name to thee.
And the woman said to him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: Why then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, {As} the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
Then said the woman, whom shall I bring up to thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou {art} Saul.
And the king said to her be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
And he said to her, What is his form? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he {is} covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it {was} Samuel, and he stooped with {his} face to the ground, and bowed himself.
And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am grievously distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God hath departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known to me what I shall do.
Then said Samuel, Why then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD hath departed from thee, and hath become thy enemy?
And the LORD hath done to him, as he spoke by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbor, {even} to David:
Because thou didst not obey the voice of the LORD, nor execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing to thee this day.
Moreover, the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to-morrow {shalt} thou and thy sons {be} with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
Then Saul fell immediately all along on the earth, and was exceedingly afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
And the woman came to Saul, and saw that he was greatly troubled, and said to him, Behold, thy handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened to thy words, which thou didst speak to me.
Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also to the voice of thy handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.
But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
And the woman had a fat calf in the house: and she hasted and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded {it} , and baked unleavened bread of it.
And she brought {it} before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night.
Now the Philistines collected all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites encamped by a fountain which {is} in Jezreel.
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What {do} these Hebrews {here} ? And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, {Is} not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell {to me} to this day?
And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, Make this man return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he should be an adversary to us: for with what would he reconcile himself to his master? {would it} not {be} with the heads of these men?
{Is} not this David, of whom they sung one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
Then Achish called David, and said to him, Surely, {as} the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host {is} good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee from the day of thy coming to me to this day: nevertheless the lords favor thee not.
Therefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
And David said to Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant, so long as I have been with thee to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king.
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou {art} good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding, the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
Wherefore now rise early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye shall have risen early in the morning, and have light, depart.
So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
And had taken the women captives that {were} in it, they slew not any, either great or small, but carried {them} away, and went on their way.
So David and his men came to the city, and behold, {it was} burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
Then David and the people that {were} with him, lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
And David was greatly distressed: for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons, and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue; for thou shalt surely overtake {them} , and without fail recover {all} .
So David went, he and the six hundred men that {were} with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind remained.
But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, who were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he ate; and they made him drink water;
And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drank {any} water, three days and three nights.
And David said to him, To whom {belongest} thou? and whence {art} thou? And he said, I {am} a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days ago I fell sick.
We made an invasion {upon} the south of the Cherethites, and upon {the coast} which {belongeth} to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
And David said to him, Canst thou conduct me down to this company? And he said, Swear to me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will lead thee down to this company.
And when he had conducted him down, behold, {they were} spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines, and from the land of Judah.
And David smote them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, who rode upon camels, and fled.
And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any {thing} that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
And David took all the flocks and the herds, {which} they drove before those {other} cattle, and said, This {is} David's spoil.
And David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that {were} with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
Then answered all the wicked men, and {men} of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them {aught} of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead {them} away, and depart.
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
For who will hearken to you in this matter? but as his part {is} that goeth down to the battle, so {shall} his part {be} that tarrieth by the goods: they shall part alike.
And it was {so} from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah, {even} to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you, of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;
To {them} who {were} in Beth-el, and to {them} who {were} in south Ramoth, and to {them} who {were} in Jattir,
And to {them} who {were} in Aroer, and to {them} who {were} in Siphmoth, and to {them} who {were} in Eshtemoa,
And to {them} who {were} in Rachal, and to {them} who {were} in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to {them} who {were} in the cities of the Kenites,
And to {them} who {were} in Hormah, and to {them} who {were} in Chor-ashan, and to {them} who {were} in Athach,
And to {them} who {were} in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to resort.
Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons.
And the battle was severe against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was severely wounded by the archers.
Then said Saul to his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through with it; lest these uncircumcised should come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was exceedingly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
And when the men of Israel that {were} on the other side of the valley, and {they} that {were} on the other side of Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish {it in} the house of their idols, and among the people.
And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul,
All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
And they took their bones, and buried {them} under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
It came even to pass on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and {so} it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
And David said to him, From whence comest thou? And he said to him, Out of the camp of Israel have I escaped.
And David said to him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen, and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
And David said to the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?
And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, Here {am} I.
And he said to me, Who {art} thou? And I answered him, I {am} an Amalekite.
He said to me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life {is} yet whole in me.
So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he had fallen: and I took the crown that {was} upon his head, and the bracelet that {was} on his arm, and have brought them hither to my lord.
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that {were} with him:
And they mourned and wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they had fallen by the sword.
And David said to the young man that told him, Whence {art} thou? And he answered, I {am} the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
And David said to him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?
And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, {and} fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
And David said to him, Thy blood {be} upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son:
(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah {the use of} the bow: behold, {it is} written in the book of Jasher.)
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
Tell {it} not in Gath, publish {it} not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
Ye mountains of Gilboa, {let there be} no dew, neither rain upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, {as though he had} not {been} anointed with oil.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
Saul and Jonathan {were} lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with {other} delights, who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan {thou wast} slain in thy high places.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been to me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
How have the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said to him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, To Hebron.
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
And his men that {were} with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, {That} the men of Jabesh-gilead {were they} that buried Saul.
And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, Blessed {be} ye of the LORD, that ye have shown this kindness to your lord, {even} to Saul, and have buried him.
And now the LORD show kindness and truth to you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
And he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, {was} forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years: but the house of Judah followed David.
And the time that David was king in Hebron, over the house of Judah, was seven years and six months.
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
Then there arose, and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, who {pertained} to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and {thrust} his sword in his fellow's side: so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which {is} in Gibeon.
And there was a very severe battle that day; and Abner was defeated, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel {was as} light of foot as a wild roe.
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, {Art} thou Asahel? And he answered, I {am} .
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take to thee his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: Why should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
But he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth {rib} , that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, {that} as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.
Joab also, and Abishai pursued Abner: and the sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that {lieth} before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
And the children of Benjamin assembled themselves after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill.
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou wilt bid the people return from following their brethren?
And Joab said, {As} God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had assembled all the people, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men, and Asahel.
But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, {so that} three hundred and sixty men died.
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulcher of his father, which {was in} Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
And to David were sons born in Hebron: and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
And Saul had a concubine, whose name {was} Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and {Ish-bosheth} said to Abner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?
Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, {Am} I a dog's head, who against Judah do show kindness this day to the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to-day with a fault concerning this woman?
So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.
And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose {is} the land? saying {also} , Make thy league with me, and behold, my hand {shall be} with thee, to bring about all Israel to thee.
And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou shalt first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver to {me} my wife Michal, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from {her} husband, {even} from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
And her husband went with her, weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, Go, return. And he returned.
And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past {to be} king over you:
Now then do {it} : for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.
And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
So Abner came to David in Hebron, and twenty men with him: and David made Abner and the men that {were} with him, a feast.
And Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thy heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from {pursuing} a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner {was} not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
When Joab and all the host that {was} with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he hath gone in peace.
Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came to thee; why {is} it {that} thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going-out and thy coming-in, and to know all that thou doest.
And when Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew {it} not.
And when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth {rib} that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
And afterward when David heard {it} , he said, I and my kingdom {are} guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that {were} with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David {himself} followed the bier.
And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
Thy hands {were} not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, {so} fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
And when all the people came to cause David to eat food while it was yet day, David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, If I taste bread or aught else, till the sun is down.
And all the people took notice {of it} , and it pleased them: as what ever the king did pleased all the people.
For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
And the king said to his servants, Know ye not that there hath a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
And I {am} this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah {are} too hard for me. The LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
And Saul's son had two men {that were} captains of bands: the name of the one {was} Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (For Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day.)
And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son {that was} lame of {his} feet: he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name {was} Mephibosheth.
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
And they came thither into the midst of the house, {as though} they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth {rib} : and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went away through the plain all night.
And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thy enemy, who sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and of his seed.
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, {As} the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, (thinking to have brought good tidings,) I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who {thought} that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged {them} over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried {it} in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron.
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we {are} thy bone and thy flesh.
Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
David {was} thirty years old when he began to reign, {and} he reigned forty years.
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: who spoke to David, saying, Except thou shalt take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
Nevertheless, David took the strong hold of Zion: the same {is} the city of David.
And David said on that day, Whoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, {that are} hated by David's soul, {he shall be chief and captain} : Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built around from Millo and inward.
And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts {was} with him.
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David a house.
And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
And David took {him} more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
And these {are} the names of those that were born to him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard {of it} , and went down to the hold.
The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thy hand.
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon my enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
And the Philistines came yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: {but} fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
And David did so as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou comest to Gazer.
Again, David assembled all {the} chosen {men} of Israel, thirty thousand,
And David arose, and went with all the people that {were} with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth {between} the cherubim.
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that {was} in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drove the new cart.
And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which {was} at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of {instruments made of} fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
And when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth {his hand} to the ark of God, and took hold of it: for the oxen shook {it} .
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for {his} error; and there he died by the ark of God.
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.
And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
So David would not remove the ark of the LORD to him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that {pertaineth} to him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.
And it was {so} , that when they that bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
And David danced before the LORD with all {his} might; and David {was} girded with a linen ephod.
So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD.
And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
And he dealt among all the people, {even} among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece {of flesh} , and a flagon {of wine} . So all the people departed every one to his house.
Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
And David said to Michal, {It was} before the LORD, who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
And I shall yet be more vile than thus, and shall be base in my own sight: and by the maid-servants which thou hast spoken of, by them shall I be had in honor.
Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until the day of her death.
And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest around from all his enemies;
That the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that {is} in thy heart: for the LORD {is} with thee.
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Wilt thou build me a house for me to dwell in?
Whereas I have not dwelt in {any} house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent, and in a tabernacle.
In all {the places} in which I have walked with all the children of Israel have I spoken a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why do ye not build me a house of cedar?
Now therefore so shalt thou say to my servant David, thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheep-cote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thy enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like to the name of the great {men} that {are} in the earth.
Moreover, I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as formerly.
And as since the time that I commanded judges {to be} over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thy enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee a house.
And when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he shall commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
But my mercy shall not depart from him, as I took {it} from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.
Then king David went in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who {am} I, O LORD God? and what {is} my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto;
And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O LORD God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And {is} this the manner of man, O LORD God?
And what can David say more to thee? for thou, LORD God, knowest thy servant.
For thy word's sake, and according to thy own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know {them} .
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for {there is} none like thee, neither {is there any} God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
And what one nation in the earth {is} like thy people, {even} like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, {from} the nations and their gods?
For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel {to be} a people to thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish {it} for ever, and do as thou hast said.
And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts {is} the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee a house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer to thee.
And now, O LORD God, thou {art} that God, and thy words are true, and thou hast promised this goodness to thy servant:
Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O LORD God, hast spoken {it} : and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines he measured to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And {so} the Moabites became David's servants, {and} brought gifts.
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
And David took from him a thousand {chariots} , and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot -{horses} , but reserved of them {for} a hundred chariots.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, {and} brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took very much brass.
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
Then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: (for Hadadezer had wars with Toi) and {Joram} brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
Which also king David dedicated to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
And David made {him} a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of Salt, {being} eighteen thousand {men} .
And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice to all his people.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah {was} over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud {was} recorder;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, {were} the priests: and Seraiah {was} the scribe;
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada {was over} both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
And {there was} of the house of Saul a servant whose name {was} Ziba. And when they had called him to David, the king said to him, {Art} thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant {is he} .
And the king said, {Is} there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? and Ziba said to the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, {who is} lame in {his} feet.
And the king said to him, Where {is} he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he {is} in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.
Then king David sent, and brought him from the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
And David said to him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for the sake of Jonathan thy father, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
And he bowed himself, and said, What {is} thy servant, that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I {am} ?
Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, I have given to thy master's son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house.
Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in {the fruits} , that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Then said Ziba to the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, {said the king} , he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name {was} Micah. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba {were} servants to Mephibosheth.
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he ate continually at the king's table; and was lame in both his feet.
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
Then said David, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
And the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters to thee? hath not David {rather} sent his servants to thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, {even} to their buttocks, and sent them away.
When they told {it} to David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards are grown, and {then} return.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.
And when David heard of {it} , he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah, {were} by themselves in the field.
When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he selected of all the choice {men} of Israel, and put {them} in array against the Syrians:
And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put {them} in array against the children of Ammon.
And he said, If the Syrians shall be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon shall be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
And Joab and the people that {were} with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they assembled themselves.
And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that {were} beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer {went} before them.
And when it was told David, he assembled all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew {the men of} seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
And when all the kings {that were} servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
And it came to pass, after the year had expired, at the time when kings go forth {to battle} , that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and destroyed Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman {was} very beautiful to look upon.
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And {one} said, {Is} not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned to her house.
And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I {am} with child.
And David sent to Joab, {saying} , Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
And when Uriah had come to him, David inquired {of him} how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess {of meat} from the king.
But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down to his house, David said to Uriah, Camest thou not from {thy} journey? why {then} didst thou not go down to thy house?
And Uriah said to David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? {as} thou livest, and {as} thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to-day also, and to-morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day and the morrow.
And when David had called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk: and at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent {it} by the hand of Uriah.
And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the front of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew that valiant men {were} .
And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell {some} of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war to the king,
And if the king's wrath shall rise, and he shall say to thee, Why approached ye so nigh to the city for the fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
And the messenger said to David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were upon them even to the entrance of the gate.
And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants: and {some} of the king's servants are dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
Then David said to the messenger, Thus shalt thou say to Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
And when the mourning was past, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
And the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
The rich {man} had very numerous flocks and herds:
But the poor {man} had nothing save one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished: and it grew up together with him, and with his children: it fed of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him as a daughter.
And there came a traveler to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the way-faring man that had come to him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that had come to him.
And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, {As} the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this {thing} shall surely die:
And he shall restore the lamb four-fold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
And Nathan said to David, Thou {art} the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee from the hand of Saul;
And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if {that had been} too little, I would moreover have given to thee such and such things.
Why hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife {to be} thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thy own house, and I will take thy wives before thy eyes, and give {them} to thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
For thou didst {it} secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said to David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
But, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also {that is} born to thee shall surely die.
And Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it was very sick.
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
And the elders of his house arose, {and went} to him, to raise him from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he would not hearken to our voice: how will he then be grieved, if we tell him that the child is dead?
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed {himself} , and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate.
Then said his servants to him, What thing {is} this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, {while it was} alive; but after the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted, and wept: for I said, Who can tell {whether} God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
But now he is dead, Why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her: and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
Now therefore collect the rest of the people, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
And David collected all the people, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight of which {was} a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was {set} on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
And he brought forth the people that {were} in it, and put {them} under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus he did to all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name {was} Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
And Amnon was so afflicted, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she {was} a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
But Amnon had a friend, whose name {was} Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab {was} a very subtil man.
And he said to him, Why {art} thou, {being} the king's son, pining from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
And Jonadab said to him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say to him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me food, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see {it} , and eat {it} at her hand.
So Amnon lay down and made himself sick: and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make for me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress meat for him.
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded {it} , and made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
And she took a pan, and poured {them} out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
And Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from thy hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought {them} into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
And when she had brought {them} to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, Come, lie with me, my sister.
And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou wilt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
Howbeit, he would not hearken to her voice: but being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred with which he hated her {was} greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone.
And she said to him, {There is} no cause: this evil in sending me away {is} greater than the other that thou didst to me. But he would not hearken to her.
Then he called his servant that ministered to him, and said, Put now this {woman} out from me, and bolt the door after her.
And {she had} a garment of divers colors upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters {that were} virgins appareled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colors that {was} on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
And Absalom her brother said to her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he {is} thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal-hazor, which {is} beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable to thee. And he pressed him: yet he would not go, but blessed him.
Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said to him, Why should he go with thee?
But Absalom pressed him that he should let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have I not commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man rode upon his mule, and fled.
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that information came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose {that} they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, there came many people by the way of the hillside behind him.
And Jonadab said to the king, Behold, the king's sons come; as thy servant said, so it is.
And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept exceedingly.
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And {David} mourned for his son every day.
So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
And {the soul of} king David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart {was} towards Absalom.
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and brought thence a wise woman, and said to her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
And come to the king, and speak in this manner to him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
And when the woman of Tekoah spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I {am} indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.
And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and {there was} none to part them, but the one smote the other and slew him.
And behold, the whole family hath risen against thy handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they will quench my coal which is left, and will not leave to my husband {neither} name nor remainder upon the earth.
And the king said to the woman, Go to thy house, and I will give charge concerning thee.
And the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity {be} on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne {be} guiltless.
And the king said, Whoever saith {aught} to thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, {As} the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
Then the woman said, Let thy handmaid, I pray thee, speak {one} word to my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
And the woman said, Why then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one who is faulty, in that the king doth not bring home again his banished.
For we must needs die, and {are} as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect {any} person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
Now therefore that I have come to speak of this thing to my lord the king, {it is} because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid from the hand of the man {that would} destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
Then thy handmaid said, The word of my lord the king, will now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so {is} my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
Then the king answered and said to the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
And the king said, {Is not} the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, {As} thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from aught that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thy handmaid:
To bring about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord {is} wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all {things} that {are} on the earth.
And the king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To-day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled {it} : because {the hair} was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
And to Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name {was} Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, that he might send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
Therefore he said to his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom, to {his} house, and said to him, Why have thy servants set my field on fire?
And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Why am I come from Geshur? it {had been} good for me {had I been} there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there is {any} iniquity in me, let him kill me.
So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
And Absalom rose early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was {so} , that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, Of what city {art} thou? And he said, Thy servant {is} one of the tribes of Israel.
And Absalom said to him, See, thy matters {are} good and right; but {there is} no man {deputed} by the king to hear thee.
Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!
And it was {so} , that when any man came nigh {to him} to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said to the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
And the king said to him, Go in peace, So he arose, and went to Hebron.
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, {that were} called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, {even} from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
And David said to all his servants that {were} with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not {else} escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he should overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
And the king's servants said to the king, Behold, thy servants {are ready to do} whatever my lord the king shall appoint.
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women {who were} concubines to keep the house.
And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
And all his servants passed on by his side; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for thou {art} a stranger, and also an exile.
Whereas thou camest {but} yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may; return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth {be} with thee.
And Ittai answered the king, and said, {As} the LORD liveth, and {as} my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that {were} with him.
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, towards the way of the wilderness.
And lo, Zadok also, and all the Levites {were} with him bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
And the king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me {both} it, and his habitation:
But if he shall thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, {here am} I, let him do to me as seemeth good to him.
The king said also to Zadok the priest, {Art not} thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until word shall come from you to certify me.
Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
And David went up by the ascent of {mount} Olivet, and wept as he went, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that {were} with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went.
And {one} told David, saying, Ahithophel {is} among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
And it came to pass, that {when} David had come to the top {of the mount} , where he worshiped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head;
To whom David said, If thou shalt pass on with me, then thou wilt be a burden to me:
But if thou shalt return to the city, and say to Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; {as} I {have been} thy father's servant hitherto, so {will} I now also {be} thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
And {hast thou} not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, {that} whatever thing thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell {it} to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
Behold, {they have} there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's {son} , and Jonathan Abiathar's {son} ; and by them ye shall send to me every thing that ye can hear.
So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
And when David was a little past the top {of the hill} , behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred {loaves} of bread, and a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
And the king said to Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses {are} for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.
And the king said, And where {is} thy master's son? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To-day shall the house of Israel restore to me the kingdom of my father.
Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine {are} all that {pertained} to Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee {that} I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name {was} Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men {were} on his right hand and on his left.
And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold, thou {art taken} in thy mischief, because thou {art} a bloody man.
Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why hast thou done so?
And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now {may this} Benjaminite {do it} ? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
And the king, and all the people that {were} with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
And Absalom said to Hushai, {Is} this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
And Hushai said to Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
And again, whom should I serve? {should I} not {serve} in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred by thy father: then shall the hands of all that {are} with thee be strong.
So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counseled in those days, {was} as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so {was} all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night;
And I will come upon him while he {is} weary and weak-handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that {are} with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
And I will bring back all the people to thee: the man whom thou seekest {is} as if all returned: {so} all the people shall be in peace.
And the saying, pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
And when Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do {after} his saying? if not, speak thou.
And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given, {is} not good at this time.
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they {are} mighty men, and they {are} chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father {is} a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some {other} place: and it will come to pass, when some of them {are} overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
And he also {that is} valiant, whose heart {is} as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father {is} a mighty man, and {they} who {are} with him {are} valiant men.
Therefore I counsel that all Israel should be generally gathered to thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that {is} by the sea for multitude; and that thou shouldst go to battle in thy own person.
So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that {are} with him there shall not be left so much as one.
Moreover, if he shall have entered into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there.
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite {is} better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Then said Hushai to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counseled.
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that {are} with him.
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a maid servant went and told them; and they went and told king David.
Nevertheless, a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; into which they descended.
And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn upon it; and the thing was not known.
And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where {is} Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them, they have gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find {them} , they returned to Jerusalem.
And it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came out of the well, and went and told king David, and said to David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counseled against you.
Then David arose, and all the people that {were} with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that had not gone over Jordan.
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled {his} ass, and arose, and went home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died. and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.
Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa {was} a man's son, whose name {was} Ithra, an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
And it came to pass, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched {corn} , and beans, and lentils, and parched {pulse} ,
And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of cows, for David, and for the people that {were} with him, to eat: for they said, The people {are} hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
And David numbered the people that {were} with him, and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds.
And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now {thou art} worth ten thousand of us: therefore now {it is} better that thou shouldst succor us out of the city.
And the king said to them, What seemeth to you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, {Deal} gently for my sake with the young man, {even} with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand {men} .
For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was suspended between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that {was} under him went away.
And a certain man saw {it} , and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.
And Joab said to the man that told him, And behold, thou sawest {him} , and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten {shekels} of silver, and a girdle.
And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand {shekels} of silver in my hand, {yet} would I not put forth my hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none {touch} the young man Absalom.
Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against my own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldst have set thyself against {me} .
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he {was} yet alive in the midst of the oak.
And ten young men that bore Joab's armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel: for Joab restrained the people.
And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
Now Absalom in his life-time had taken and raised for himself a pillar, which {is} in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called to this day, Absalom's place.
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and inform the king, how the LORD hath avenged himself of his enemies.
And Joab said to him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go, tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But however, let me also, I pray thee, run after Cushi. And Joab said, Why wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
But however, {said he} , let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran Cushi.
And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
And the watchman called, and told the king. And the king said, If he {is} alone {there is} tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called to the porter, and said, Behold {another} man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
And the watchman said, I think the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He {is} a good man, and cometh with good news.
And Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed {be} the LORD thy God, who hath delivered up the men that raised their hand against my lord the king.
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and {me} thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what {it was} .
And the king said {to him} , Turn aside, {and} stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
And behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
And the king said to Cushi, {Is} the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, May the enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do {thee} hurt, be as {that} young man {is} .
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! O that I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
And it was told to Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
And the victory that day was {turned} into mourning to all the people: for the people heard it said that day how the king was grieved for his son.
And the people withdrew by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, who this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
In that thou lovest thy enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably to thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou shalt not go forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse to thee than all the evil that hath befallen thee from thy youth until now.
Then the king rose, and sat in the gate. And they told to all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines; and now he hath fled out of the land for Absalom.
And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, {even} to his house.
Ye {are} my brethren, ye {are} my bones and my flesh: why then are ye the last to bring back the king?
And say ye to Amasa, {Art} thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as {the heart of} one man; so that they sent {this word} to the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjaminite, who {was} of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
And {there were} a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a ferry-boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he came over Jordan;
And said to the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity to me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore behold, I have come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries to me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I {am} this day king over Israel?
Therefore the king said to Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swore to him.
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came {again} in peace.
And it came to pass, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, Why didst thou not go with me, Mephibosheth?
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride on it, and go to the king; because thy servant {is} lame.
And he hath slandered thy servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king {is} as an angel of God: do therefore {what is} good in thy eyes.
For all {of} my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that ate at thy own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more to the king?
And the king said to him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
And Mephibosheth said to the king, Yes, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king hath come again in peace to his own house.
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, {even} eighty years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim: for he {was} a very great man.
And the king said to Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
And Barzillai said to the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
I {am} this day eighty years old: {and} can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing-men and singing-women? why then should thy servant be yet a burden to my lord the king?
Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense me with such a reward?
Let thy servant, I pray thee, return again, that I may die in my own city, {and be buried} by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to thee.
And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to thee: and whatever thou shalt require of me, {that} will I do for thee.
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king had come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.
Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to him, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king {is} near of kin to us: why then are ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all at the king's {cost} ? or hath he given us any gift?
And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more {right} in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name {was} Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
So every man of Israel, withdrawing from David, followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah adhered to their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women {his} concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and fed them, but went not in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble to me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
So Amasa went to assemble {the men of} Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than {did} Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue him, lest he get for himself fortified cities, and escape us.
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
When they {were} at the great stone which {is} in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded to him, and upon it a girdle {with} a sword fastened upon his loins in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.
And Joab said to Amasa, {Art} thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
But Amasa took no heed to the sword that {was} in Joab's hand: so he smote him in the fifth {rib} , and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoreth Joab, and he that {is} for David, {let him go} after Joab.
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were assembled, and went also after him.
And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that {were} with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, to Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
And when he was come near to her, the woman said, {Art} thou Joab? And he answered, I {am he} . Then she said to him, Hear the words of thy handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
Then she spoke, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They will surely ask {counsel} at Abel: and so they ended {the matter} .
I {am one of them that are} peaceable {and} faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
The matter {is} not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, {even} against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast {it} out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
Now Joab {was} over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada {was} over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
And Adoram {was} over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud {was} recorder:
And Sheva {was} scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar {were} the priests:
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, {It is} for Saul, and for {his} bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
And the king called the Gibeonites, and said to them; (now the Gibeonites {were} not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn to them: and Saul sought to slay them, in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
Wherefore David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and with what shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
And the Gibeonites said to him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, {that} will I do for you.
And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us {that} we should be destroyed from remaining within the borders of Israel,
Let seven men of his sons be delivered to us, and we will hang them up to the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, {whom} the LORD chose. And the king said, I will give {them} .
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that {was} between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD: and they fell {all} seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first {days} , in the beginning of barley harvest.
And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah the concubine of Saul had done.
And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son they buried in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.
Moreover, the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David became faint.
And Ishbi-benob, who {was} of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred {shekels} of brass in weight, he being girded with a new {sword} , thought to have slain David.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, Thou shalt go out no more with us to battle, that thou mayest not extinguish the light of Israel.
And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, who {was} of the sons of the giant.
And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Beth-lehemite, slew {the brother of} Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear {was} like a weaver's beam.
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of {great} stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
And David spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day {that} the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul:
And he said, The LORD {is} my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: {he is} my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my preserver; thou savest me from violence.
I will call on the LORD, {who is} worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.
When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly-men made me afraid;
The sorrows of hell encompassed me; the snares of death seized me;
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry {entered} into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled: the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness {was} under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and flew: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
And he made darkness pavilions around him, dark waters, {and} thick clouds of the skies.
Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were laid open, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
He delivered me from my strong enemy, from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
They fell upon me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my support.
He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments {were} before me: and {as for} his statutes, I did not depart from them.
I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from my iniquity.
Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye-sight.
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, {and} with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt contend.
And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thy eyes {are} upon the haughty, {that} thou mayest bring {them} down.
For thou {art} my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
{As for} God, his way {is} perfect; the word of the LORD {is} tried: he {is} a buckler to all them that trust in him.
For who {is} God, save the LORD? and who {is} a rock, save our God?
God {is} my strength {and} power: and he maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds' {feet} : and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet have not slipped.
I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they have fallen under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
Thou hast also given me the necks of my enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
They looked, but {there was} none to save; {even} to the LORD, but he answered them not.
Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I stamped them as the mire of the street, {and} spread them abroad.
Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me {to be} head of the heathen: a people {which} I knew not shall serve me.
Strangers shall submit themselves to me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient to me.
Strangers shall fade away, and they shall tremble from their close places.
The LORD liveth; and blessed {be} my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
It {is} God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
And that bringeth me forth from my enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks to thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises to thy name.
{He is} the tower of salvation for his king: and {he} showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
Now these {are} the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man {who was} raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and his word {was} on my tongue.
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He that ruleth over men {must be} just, ruling in the fear of God.
And {he shall be} as the light of the morning, {when} the sun riseth, {even} a morning without clouds; {as} the tender grass {springing} out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Although my house {is} not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all {things} , and sure: for {this is} all my salvation, and all {my} desire, although he maketh {it} not to grow.
But {the sons} of Belial {shall be} all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
But the man {that} shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the {same} place.
These {are} the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same {was} Adino the Eznite: {he lifted up his spear} against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
And after him {was} Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, {one} of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines {that} were there assembled to battle, and the men of Israel had gone away:
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand adhered to the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.
And after him {was} Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were collected into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the Philistines.
But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
And three of the thirty chiefs went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
And David {was} then in a hold, and the garrison of the Philistines {was} then {in} Beth-lehem.
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, which {is} by the gate!
And the three mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that {was} by the gate, and took {it} , and brought {it} to David: nevertheless he would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD.
And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: {is not this} the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, {and} slew {them} , and had the name among three.
Was he not most honorable of three? therefore he was their captain: yet he attained not to the {first} three.
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lion-like men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
These {things} did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among three mighty men.
He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the {first} three. And David set him over his guard.
Asahel the brother of Joab {was} one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,
Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani, the Gadite,
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor-bearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go number Israel and Judah.
For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, who {was} with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
And Joab said to the king, Now the LORD thy God add to the people, how many soever they may be, a hundred-fold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see {it} : but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that {lieth} in the midst of the river of Gad, and towards Jazer:
Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; and they came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon,
And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, {even} to Beer-sheba.
So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
And Joab presented the sum of the number of the people to the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah {were} five hundred thousand men.
And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said to the LORD, I have sinned greatly in what I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
For when David had risen in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
Go and say to David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three {things} ; choose thee one of them, that I may {do it} to thee.
So Gad came to David, and told him, and said to him, Shall seven years of famine come upon thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thy enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? Now consider, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies {are} great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thy hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing-place of Araunah the Jebusite.
And David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thy hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
And Gad came that day to David, and said to him, Go up, rear an altar to the LORD in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming towards him: And Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
And Araunah said, Why is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing-floor of thee, to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
And Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what {seemeth} good to him: behold, {here are} oxen for burnt-sacrifice, and threshing-instruments and {other} instruments of the oxen for wood.
All these {things} did Araunah, {as} a king, give to the king. And Araunah said to the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
And the king said to Araunah, No; but I will surely buy {it} of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt-offerings to the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings. So the LORD was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
Now king David was old {and} advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he got no heat.
Wherefore his servants said to him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunamite, and brought her to the king.
And the damsel {was} very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also {was a} very goodly {man} ; and {his mother} bore him after Absalom.
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah, helped {him} .
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men who {belonged} to David, were not with Adonijah.
And Adonijah slew sheep, and oxen, and fat cattle, by the stone of Zoheleth, which {is} by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
Wherefore Nathan spoke to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth {it} not?
Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thy own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
Go, and enter in to king David, and say to him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear to thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
Behold, while thou art yet talking there with the king, I will also come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
And Bath-sheba went to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunamite ministered to the king.
And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance to the king. And the king said, What wouldst thou?
And she said to him, My lord, thou didst swear by the LORD thy God to thy handmaid, {saying} , Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest {it} not:
And he hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel {are} upon thee, that thou shouldst tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
And lo, while she was yet talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
For he hath gone down this day, and hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
But me, {even} me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shown {it} to thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.
And the king swore, and said, {As} the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
Even as I swore to thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
Then Bath-sheba bowed with {her} face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
The king also said to them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so {too} .
As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so let him be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
And Zadok the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
And Adonijah and all the guests that {were} with him heard {it} as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Why {is this} noise of the city being in an uproar?
And while he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said to him, Come in; for thou {art} a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.
And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:
And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they have come from thence rejoicing, so that the city resounded. This {is} the noise that ye have heard.
And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.
And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.
And also thus said the king, Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel, who hath given {one} to sit on my throne this day, my eyes even seeing {it} .
And all the guests that {were} with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and went every man his way.
And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear to me to-day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
And Solomon said, If he will show himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said to him, Go to thy house.
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man;
And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.
That the LORD may continue his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
Moreover, thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, {and} what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that {was} about his loins, and in his shoes that {were} on his feet.
Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoary head go down to the grave in peace.
But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
And behold, {thou hast} with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjaminite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I swore to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou {art} a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do to him; but his hoary head do thou bring down to the grave with blood.
So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
And the days that David reigned over Israel {were} forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
Then Solomon was seated upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? and he said, Peaceably.
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say to thee. And she said, Say on.
And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and {that} all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: but the kingdom is turned about, and hath become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.
And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said to him, Say on.
And he said, Speak, I pray thee, to Solomon the king, (for he will not say to thee no,) that he give me Abishag the Shunamite for a wife.
And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee to the king.
Bath-sheba therefore went to king Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself to her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; {I pray thee} , deny me not. And the king said to her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not deny thee.
And she said, Let Abishag the Shunamite be given to Adonijah thy brother for a wife.
And king Solomon answered and said to his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunamite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he {is} my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
Then king Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah hath not spoken this word against his own life.
Now therefore, {as} the LORD liveth, who hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
And to Abiathar the priest said the king, Depart to Anathoth, to thy own fields; for thou {art} worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou didst bear the ark of the LORD God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all in which my father was afflicted.
So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the LORD; that he might fulfill the word of the LORD, which he spoke concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled to the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
And it was told to king Solomon that Joab had fled to the tabernacle of the LORD; and behold, {he is} by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said to him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, No; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.
And the king said to him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing {of it} , {to wit} , Abner the son of Ner captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace forever from the LORD.
So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the army: and Zadok the priest the king put in the room of Abiathar.
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, Build thee a house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence to any place whatever.
For it shall be, {that} on the day thou shalt go out, and pass over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thy own head.
And Shimei said to the king, The saying {is} good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maachah king of Gath: and they told Shimei, saying, behold, thy servants are in Gath.
And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.
And it was told to Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and had returned.
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protest to thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest any where abroad, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst to me, The word {that} I have heard {is} good.
Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thy heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD will return thy wickedness upon thy own head;
And king Solomon {shall be} blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; who went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem on every side.
Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built to the name of the LORD, until those days.
And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that {was} the great high place: a thousand burnt-offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
And Solomon said, Thou hast shown to thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as {it is} this day.
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I {am but} a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
And thy servant {is} in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
And God said to him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thy enemies: but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like to thee.
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like to thee all thy days,
And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
And Solomon awoke; and behold, {it was} a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Then came there two women, {that were} harlots, to the king, and stood before him.
And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
And it came to pass the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we {were} together; {there was} no stranger with us in the house, save us two in the house.
And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thy handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
And when I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I bore.
And the other woman said, No; but the living {is} my son, and the dead {is} thy son. And this said, No; but the dead {is} thy son, and the living {is} my son. Thus they spoke before the king.
Then said the king, The one saith, This {is} my son that liveth, and thy son {is} the dead; and the other saith, No; but thy son {is} the dead, and my son {is} the living.
And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
Then spoke the woman whose the living child {was} to the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, {but} divide {it} .
Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she {is} the mother of it.
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God {was} in him, to do judgment.
So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
And these {were} the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehosaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada {was} over the army: and Zadok and Abiathar {were} the priests:
And Azariah the son of Nathan {was} over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan {was} principal officer, {and} the king's friend:
And Ahishar {was} over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda {was} over the tribute.
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
And these {are} their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan:
The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him {pertained} Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; who had Taphath the daughter of Solomon for a wife:
Baana the son of Ahilud; {to him pertained} Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which {is} by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, {even} to {the place that is} beyond Jokneam:
The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him {pertained} the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which {are} in Gilead; to him {also pertained} the region of Argob, which {is} in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and brazen bars:
Ahinadab the son of Iddo {had} Mahanaim:
Ahimaaz {was} in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon for a wife:
Baanah the son of Hushai {was} in Asher and in Aloth:
Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
Geber the son of Uri {was} in the country of Gilead, {in} the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and {he was} the only officer who {was} in the land.
Judah and Israel {were} many, as the sand which {is} by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal.
Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and roebucks, and fallow-deer, and fatted fowls.
For he had dominion over all {the region} on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side of the river: and he had peace on all sides around him.
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries they brought to the place where {the officers} were, every man according to his charge.
And God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that {is} on the sea-shore.
And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.
And he spoke three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
And he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree that {is} in Lebanon even to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spoke also of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping animals, and of fishes.
And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
Thou knowest how that David my father could not build a house to the name of the LORD his God, for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, {so that there is} neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
And behold, I purpose to build a house to the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build a house to my name.
Now therefore command thou, that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and to thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that {there is} not among us any that is skilled in hewing timber like the Sidonians.
And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed {be} the LORD this day, who hath given to David a wise son over this great people.
And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: {and} I will perform all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
My servants shall bring {them} down from Lebanon to the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats to the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive {them} : and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees {according to} all his desire.
And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat {for} food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
And he sent them to Lebanon ten thousand a month by courses; a month they were in Lebanon, {and} two months at home. And Adoniram {was} over the levy.
And Solomon had seventy thousand that bore burdens, and eighty thousand hewers in the mountains;
Besides the chief of Solomon's officers who {were} over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, {and} hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
And Solomon's builders, and Hiram's builders did hew {them} , and the stone-squarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Zif, which {is} the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length of it {was} sixty cubits, and the breadth of it twenty {cubits} , and the hight of it thirty cubits.
And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits {was} the length of it, according to the breadth of the house; {and} ten cubits {was} the breadth of it, before the house.
And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, {against} the walls of the house round about, {both} of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
The nethermost chamber {was} five cubits broad, and the middle {was} six cubits broad, and the third {was} seven cubits broad: for without {in the wall} of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that {the beams} should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer nor ax {nor} any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
The door for the middle chamber {was} in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle {chamber} , and out of the middle into the third;
So he built the house and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.
And {then} he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,
{Concerning} this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spoke to David thy father:
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the ceiling: {and} he covered {them} on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.
And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built {them} for it within, {even} for the oracle, {even} for the most holy {place} .
And the house, that {is} , the temple before it, was forty cubits {long} .
And the cedar of the house within {was} carved with knobs and open flowers: all {was} cedar; there was no stone seen.
And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
And the oracle in the forepart {was} twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the hight of it, and he overlaid it with pure gold; and {so} covered the altar {which was of} cedar.
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.
And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that {was} by the oracle he overlaid with gold.
And within the oracle he made two cherubim {of} olive tree, {each} ten cubits high.
And five cubits {was} the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing to the uttermost part of the other {were} ten cubits.
And the other cherub {was} ten cubits: both the cherubim {were} of one measure and one size.
The hight of the one cherub {was} ten cubits, and so {was it} of the other cherub.
And he set the cherubim within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, so that the wing of the one touched the {one} wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.
And he carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim, and palm trees, and open flowers, within and without.
And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.
And for the entrance of the oracle he made doors {of} olive tree: the lintel {and} side-posts {were} a fifth part {of the wall} .
The two doors also {were of} olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubim, and palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid {them} with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubim, and upon the palm trees.
So also he made for the door of the temple posts {of} olive tree a fourth part {of the wall} .
And the two doors {were of} fir tree: the two leaves of the one door {were} folding, and the two leaves of the other door {were} folding.
And he carved {thereon} cherubim, and palm trees, and open flowers; and covered {them} with gold, fitted upon the carved work.
And he built the inner court with three rows of hewn stone, and a row of cedar beams.
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:
And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul (which {is} the eighth month) was the house finished throughout all its parts, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.
He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; its length {was} a hundred cubits, and its breadth fifty cubits, and its hight thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.
And {it was} covered with cedar above upon the beams, that {lay} on forty-five pillars, fifteen {in} a row.
And {there were} windows in three rows, and light {was} against light {in} three ranks.
And all the doors and posts {were} square, with the windows: and light {was} against light {in} three ranks.
And he made a porch of pillars; its length {was} fifty cubits, and its breadth thirty cubits: and the porch {was} before them: and the {other} pillars and the thick beams {were} before them.
Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, {even} the porch of judgment: and {it was} covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other.
And his house where he dwelt {had} another court within the porch, {which} was of the like work. Solomon made also a house for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had married, like to this porch.
All these {were of} costly stones, according to the measures of hewn stones, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation to the coping, and {so} on the outside towards the great court.
And the foundation {was of} costly stones, even great stones; stones of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits.
And above {were} costly stones, after the measures of hewn stones, and cedars.
And the great court around {was} with three rows of hewn stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.
And king Solomon sent and brought Hiram out of Tyre.
He {was} a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father {was} a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and ingenious to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
For he cast two pillars of brass, each of eighteen cubits high: and a line of twelve cubits did encompass each of them.
And he made two capitals {of} molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the hight of the one capital {was} five cubits, and the hight of the other capital {was} five cubits:
{And} nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which {were} upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital.
And he made the pillars, and two rows around upon the one net-work, to cover the capitals that {were} upon the top, with pomegranates: and so he did for the other capital.
And the capitals that {were} upon the top of the pillars {were} of lily-work in the porch, four cubits.
And the capitals upon the two pillars {had pomegranates} also above, over against the belly which {was} by the net-work: and the pomegranates {were} two hundred in rows around upon the other capital.
And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called its name Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz.
And upon the top of the pillars {was} lily-work: so was the work of the pillars finished.
And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: {it was} entirely round, and its hight {was} five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it.
And under the brim of it around {there were} knobs compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea around: the knobs {were} cast in two rows, when it was cast.
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking towards the north, and three looking towards the west, and three looking towards the south, and three looking towards the east: and the sea {was set} above upon them, and all their hinder parts {were} inward.
And it {was} a hand-breadth thick, and its brim was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits {was} the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth of it, and three cubits the hight of it.
And the work of the bases {was} in this {manner} : They had borders, and the borders {were} between the ledges:
And on the borders that {were} between the ledges {were} lions, oxen, and cherubim: and upon the ledges {there was} a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen {were} certain additions made of thin work.
And every base had four brazen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners of it had undersetters: under the laver {were} undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.
And the mouth of it within the capital and above {was} a cubit: but the mouth of it {was} round {after} the work of the base, a cubit and a half: and also upon the mouth of it {were} gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.
And under the borders {were} four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels {were joined} to the base: and the hight of a wheel {was} a cubit and half a cubit.
And the work of the wheels {was} like the work of a chariot wheel: their axletrees, and their naves, and their fellies, and their spokes, {were} all molten.
And {there were} four undersetters to the four corners of one base: {and} the undersetters {were} of the very base itself.
And in the top of the base {was there} a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base its ledges and its borders {were} of the same.
For on the plates of its ledges, and on its borders, he graved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions around.
After this {manner} he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, {and} one size.
Then he made ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: {and} every laver was four cubits: {and} upon every one of the ten bases one laver.
And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he executed for king Solomon for the house of the LORD:
The two pillars, and the {two} bowls of the capitals that {were} on the top of the two pillars; and the two net-works, to cover the two bowls of the capitals which {were} upon the top of the pillars;
And four hundred pomegranates for the two net-works, {even} two rows of pomegranates for one net-work, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that {were} upon the pillars;
And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;
And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea;
And the pots, and the shovels, and the basins: and all these vessels which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, {were of} bright brass.
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.
And Solomon left all the vessels {unweighed} , because they were very numerous: neither was the weight of the brass ascertained.
And Solomon made all the vessels that {pertained} to the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, upon which {was} the show-bread,
And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right {side} , and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs {of} gold,
And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and the censers {of} pure gold; and the hinges {of} gold, {both} for the doors of the inner house, the most holy {place} , {and} for the doors of the house, {to wit} , of the temple.
So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; {even} the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, he placed among the treasures of the house of the LORD.
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which {is} Zion.
And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which {is} the seventh month.
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
And they brought the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that {were} in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring.
And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled to him, {were} with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
And the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy {place} , {even} under the wings of the cherubim.
For the cherubim spread forth {their} two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staffs thereof above.
And they drew out the staffs, that the ends of the staffs were seen out in the holy {place} before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are to this day.
{There was} nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses deposited there at Horeb, when the LORD made {a covenant} with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
And it came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy {place} , that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
Then spoke Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
I have surely built thee a house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel were standing.
And he said, Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled {it} , saying,
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel from Egypt, I have chosen no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
And the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house to my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart.
Nevertheless, thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house to my name.
And the LORD hath performed his word that he spoke, and I have risen in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
And I have set there a place for the ark, in which {is} the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them from the land of Egypt.
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards Heaven:
And he said, LORD God of Israel, {there is} no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart.
Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him: thou didst speak also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled {it} with thy hand, as {it is} this day.
Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; provided thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou didst speak to thy servant David my father.
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?
Yet have thou respect to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken to the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee this day:
That thy eyes may be open towards this house night and day, {even} towards the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken to the prayer which thy servant shall make towards this place.
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray towards this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
If any man shall trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thy altar in this house:
Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.
When thy people Israel shall be smitten before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication to thee in this house:
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again to the land which thou gavest to their fathers.
When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray towards this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou mayest teach them the good way in which they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
If there shall be in the land famine, if there shall be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, {or} if there shall be caterpillar; if their enemy shall besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness {there shall be} ;
Whatever prayer and supplication shall be {made} by any man, {or} by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands towards this house:
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, {even} thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest to our fathers.
Moreover, concerning a stranger, that {is} not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;
(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy out-stretched arm;) when he shall come and pray towards this house;
Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as {do} thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray to the LORD towards the city which thou hast chosen, and {towards} the house that I have built for thy name:
Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
If they shall sin against thee, (for {there is} no man that sinneth not,) and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives to the land of the enemy, far or near;
{Yet} if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent and make supplication to thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
And {so} return to thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who led them away captive, and pray to thee towards their land, which thou gavest to their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause,
And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
For they {are} thy people, and thy inheritance, which thou broughtest out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:
That thy eyes may be open to the supplication of thy servant, and to the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken to them in all their supplications to thee.
For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, {to be} thy inheritance, as thou didst speak by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O LORD God.
And it was {so} , that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands spread up to heaven.
And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
Blessed {be} the LORD, that hath given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
That he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
And let these my words with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh to the LORD our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
That all the people of the earth may know, that the LORD {is} God, {and that there is} none else.
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.
And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered to the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.
The same day did the king consecrate the middle of the court that {was} before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt-offerings, and meat-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings: because the brazen altar that {was} before the LORD {was} too little to receive the burnt-offerings, and meat-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings.
And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance into Hamath to the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, {even} fourteen days.
On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.
And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to perform,
That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.
And the LORD said to him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, {and} wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.
{But} if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments {and} my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
Then will I cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a by-word among all people:
And at this house {which} is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus to this land, and to this house?
And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers from the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshiped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.
And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house,
({Now} Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.
And he said, What cities {are} these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul to this day.
And Hiram sent to the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold.
And this {is} the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
{For} Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it {for} a present to his daughter, Solomon's wife.
And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether,
And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,
And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
{And} all the people {that were} left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who {were} not of the children of Israel,
Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bond-service to this day.
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bond-men: but they {were} men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
These {were} the chief of the officers that {were} over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, who bore rule over the people that wrought in the work.
But Pharaoh's daughter came up from the city of David to her house which {Solomon} had built for her: then he built Millo.
And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt-offerings and peace-offerings upon the altar which he built to the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that {was} before the LORD. So he finished the house.
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which {is} beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
And they came to Ophir, and imported from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought {it} to king Solomon.
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she had come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not {any} thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
And the provisions of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cup-bearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came, and my eyes had seen {it} : and behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.
Happy {are} thy men, happy {are} these thy servants, who stand continually before thee, {and} that hear thy wisdom.
Blessed be the LORD thy God, who delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore he made thee king, to do judgment and justice.
And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices a very great quantity, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug-trees, nor have they been seen to this day.
And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides {that} which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty six talents of gold,
Besides {what he had} of the merchants, and of the traffic of the spice-merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets {of} beaten gold: six hundred {shekels} of gold went to one target.
And {he made} three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pounds of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne {was} round behind: and {there were} stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
And all king Solomon's drinking vessels {were of} gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon {were of} pure gold; none {were of} silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
And Solomon collected chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the king made silver {to be} in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars he made {to be} as the sycamore trees that {are} in the vale, for abundance.
And Solomon had horses brought from Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred {shekels} of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring {them} out by their means.
But king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, {and} Hittites;
Of the nations {concerning} which the LORD said to the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in to you: {for} surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon cleaved to these in love.
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, {that} his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as {was} the heart of David his father.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as {did} David his father.
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that {is} before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
And likewise did he for all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods.
And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,
And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
Wherefore the LORD said to Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done by thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
Notwithstanding, in thy days, I will not do it, for David thy father's sake: {but} I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
Yet, I will not rend away all the kingdom; {but} will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.
And the LORD stirred up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he {was} of the king's seed in Edom.
For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host had gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad {being} yet a little child.
And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them from Paran, and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt; who gave him a house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him for a wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.
Then Pharaoh said to him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thy own country? And he answered, Nothing: yet, in any wise let me go.
And God stirred him up {another} adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, who fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
And he gathered men to him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them {of Zobah} : and they went to Damascus, and dwelt in it, and reigned in Damascus.
And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the mischief that Hadad {did} : and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name {was} Zeruah, a widow woman, even he raised {his} hand against the king.
And this {was} the cause why he raised {his} hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, {and} repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
And the man Jeroboam {was} a mighty man of valor: and Solomon, seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two {were} alone in the field:
And Ahijah caught the new garment that {was} on him, and rent it {in} twelve pieces:
And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
Because they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do {that which is} right in my eyes, and {to keep} my statutes and my judgments, as {did} David his father.
Yet I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it to thee, {even} ten tribes.
And to his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for me to put my name there.
And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken to all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to thee.
And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, {are} they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel {was} forty years.
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard {of it} , (for he had fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
And he said to them, Depart yet {for} three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant to this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that had grown up with him, {and} who stood before him:
And he said to them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
And the young men that had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak to this people who spoke to thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou {it} lighter to us; thus shalt thou say to them, My little {finger} shall be thicker than my father's loins.
And now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;
And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father {also} chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Wherefore the king hearkened not to the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither {have we} inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thy own house, David. So Israel departed to their tents.
But {as for} the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who {was} over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to enter his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.
And it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come again, that they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
And when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt in it, and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
If this people go up to perform sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again to their lord, {even} to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.
Upon which the king took counsel, and made two calves {of} gold, and said to them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.
And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other he placed in Dan.
And this thing became a sin: for the people went {to worship} before the one, {even} to Dan.
And he made a house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi.
And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast that {is} in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing to the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places which he had made.
So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, {even} in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast to the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
And behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Beth-el: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This {is} the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that {are} upon it shall be poured out.
And it came to pass when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who had cried against the altar in Beth-el, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it to him again.
The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
And the king answered and said to the man of God, Entreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him again, and became as {it was} before.
And the king said to the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.
And the man of God said to the king, If thou wilt give me half thy house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:
For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.
So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Beth-el.
Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Beth-el: the words which he had spoken to the king, them they told also to their father.
And their father said to them, What way went he? for his sons had seen what way the man of God went, who came from Judah.
And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode upon it.
And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said to him, {Art} thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I {am} .
Then he said to him, Come home with me, and eat bread.
And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:
For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.
He said to him, I {am} a prophet also as thou {art} ; and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thy house, that he may eat bread and drink water. {But} he lied to him.
So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water.
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet that brought him back:
And he cried to the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
But hast returned, and hast eaten bread and drank water in the place, of which {the LORD} said to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcass shall not come to the sepulcher of thy fathers.
And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drank, that he saddled for him the ass, {to wit} , for the prophet whom he had brought back.
And when he had gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass.
And behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told {it} in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard {of it} , he said, It {is} the man of God, who was disobedient to the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him to the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke to him.
And he spoke to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled {him} .
And he went and found his carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass: the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the ass.
And the prophet took up the carcass of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him.
And he laid his carcass in his own grave; and they mourned over him, {saying} , Alas, my brother!
And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulcher in which the man of God {is} buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Beth-el, and against all the houses of the high places which {are} in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whoever would, he consecrated him, and he became {one} of the priests of the high places.
And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut {it off} , and to destroy {it} from the face of the earth.
At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick.
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou mayest not be known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and go to Shiloh: behold, there {is} Ahijah the prophet, who told me that {I should be} king over this people.
And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he will tell thee what shall become of the child.
And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
And the LORD said to Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he {is} sick: thus and thus shalt thou say to her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she will feign herself {to be} another {woman} .
And it was {so} , when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself {to be} another? for I {am} sent to thee {with} heavy {tidings} .
Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to thee: and {yet} thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do {that} only {which was} right in my eyes;
But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
Therefore behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam the males, {and} him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it is all gone.
Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken {it} .
Arise thou therefore, depart to thy own house: {and} when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.
And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found {some} good thing towards the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
Moreover, the LORD shall raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day: but what? even now.
For the LORD will smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he will root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.
And he will give up Israel because of the sins of Jeroboam, who sinned, and who made Israel to sin.
And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: {and} when she came to the threshhold of the door, the child died;
And they buried him; and all Israel mourned for him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by the hand of his servant Ahijah the prophet.
And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they {are} written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
And the days which Jeroboam reigned {were} two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam {was} forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD chose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name {was} Naamah an Ammonitess.
And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.
For they also built for themselves high places, and images and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
And there were also sodomites in the land: {and} they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, {that} Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all; and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
And king Rehoboam made in their stead brazen shields, and committed {them} to the hands of the chief of the guard, who kept the door of the king's house.
And it was {so} , when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bore them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all {their} days.
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name {was} Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
Three years he reigned in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.
Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:
Because David did {that which was} right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any {thing} that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah.
And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
And Asa did {that which was} right in the eyes of the LORD, as {did} David his father.
And he banished the sodomites from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from {being} queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt {it} by the brook Kidron.
But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.
And he brought the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold {that were} left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
{There is} a league between me and thee, {and} between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent to thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
So Ben-hadad hearkened to king Asa, and sent the captains of the armies which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard {of it} , that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none {was} exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built it; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.
And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.
And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which {belonged} to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.
And it came to pass, when he reigned, {that} he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation with which he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.
Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
Forasmuch as I exalted thee from the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.
Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.
And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
And his servant Zimri, captain of half {his} chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of {his} house in Tirzah.
And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, {that} he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one male, neither of his kinsman, nor of his friends.
Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke against Baasha, by Jehu the prophet,
For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people {were} encamped against Gibbethon, which {belonged} to the Philistines.
And the people {that were} encamped heard it said, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah.
And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died,
For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.
Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.
But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.
But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that {were} before him.
For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he showed, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.
And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that {were} before him.
And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him.
And he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
In his days Hiel the Beth-elite built Jericho: he laid the foundation of it in Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates of it in his youngest {son} Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
And Elijah the Tishbite {who was} of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, {As} the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Depart hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that {is} before Jordan.
And it shall be, {that} thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that {is} before Jordan.
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Arise, go to Zarephath, which {belongeth} to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman {was} there gathering sticks: and he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
And as she was going to bring {it} , he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.
And she said, {As} the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and behold, I {am} gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said to her, Fear not; go {and} do as thou hast said: but make me of it a little cake first, and bring {it} to me, and afterward make for thee and for thy son.
For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day {that} the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat {many} days.
{And} the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Elijah.
And it came to pass after these things {that} the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so severe, that there was no breath left in him.
And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come to me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
And he said to her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
And he cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down from the chamber into the house, and delivered him to his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou {art} a man of God, {and} that the word of the LORD in thy mouth {is} truth.
And it came to pass {after} many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And {there was} a grievous famine in Samaria.
And Ahab called Obadiah who {was} the governor of {his} house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
For it was {so} , when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
And Ahab said to Obadiah, Go into the land, to all fountains of water, and to all brooks: it may be we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, {Art} thou that my lord Elijah?
And he answered him, I {am} : go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah {is here} .
And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab to slay me?
{As} the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation nor kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, {He is} not {there} ; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah {is here} .
And it will come to pass, {as soon as} I have gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD will carry thee whither I know not; and {so} when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah {is here} : and he will slay me.
And Elijah said, {As} the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him to-day.
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, {Art} thou he that troubleth Israel?
And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
Now therefore send, {and} gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.
So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets to mount Carmel.
And Elijah came to all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD {is} God, follow him: but if Baal, {then} follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Then said Elijah to the people, I {even} I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophet's {are} four hundred and fifty men.
Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay {it} on wood, and put no fire {under} : and I will dress the other bullock, and lay {it} on wood, and put no fire {under} :
And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
And Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress {it} first; for ye {are} many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire {under} .
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed {it} , and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But {there was} no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he {is} a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, {or} perhaps he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
And it came to pass, when mid-day was past, and they prophesied until the {time} of the offering of the {evening} sacrifice, that {there was} neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
And Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me. And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD {that was} broken down.
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid {him} on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour {it} on the burnt-sacrifice, and on the wood.
And he said, Do {it} the second time. And they did {it} the second time. And he said, Do {it} the third time. And they did {it} the third time.
And the water ran around the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
And it came to pass at {the time of} the offering of the {evening} sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou {art} God in Israel, and {that} I {am} thy servant, and {that} I have done all these things at thy word.
Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou {art} the LORD God, and {that} thou hast turned their heart back again.
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that {was} in the trench.
And when all the people saw {it} , they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he {is} the God; the LORD, he {is} the God.
And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
And Elijah said to Ahab, Go up, eat and drink; for {there is} a sound of abundance of rain.
So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
And said to his servant, Go up now, look towards the sea. And he went up and looked, and said, {There is} nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say to Ahab, Prepare {thy chariot} , and go down, that the rain may not hinder thee.
And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do {to me} , and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time.
And when he saw {that} , he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which {belongeth} to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I {am} not better than my fathers.
And as he lay and slept under a juniper-tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise {and} eat.
And he looked, and behold, {there was} a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he ate and drank, and laid himself down again.
And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise {and} eat, because the journey {is} too great for thee.
And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
And he came thither to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD {came} to him, and he said to him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; {but} the LORD {was} not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; {but} the LORD {was} not in the earthquake:
And after the earthquake a fire; {but} the LORD {was} not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
And it was {so} , when Elijah heard {it} , that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, {there came} a voice to him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And the LORD said to him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael {to be} king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint {to be} king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint {to be} prophet in thy room.
And it shall come to pass, {that} him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Yet I have left to {me} seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who {was} plowing {with} twelve yoke {of oxen} before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and {then} I will follow thee. And he said to him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave to the people, and they ate. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered to him.
And Ben-hadad the king of Syria collected all his army: and {there were} thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said to him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,
Thy silver and thy gold {is} mine; thy wives also and thy children, {even} the most comely, {are} mine.
And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I {am} thine, and all that I have.
And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Ben-hadad, saying, Although I have sent to thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver to me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;
Yet I will send my servants to thee to-morrow about this time, and they shall search thy house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, {that} whatever is pleasant in thy eyes, they shall take {it} in their hand, and carry {it} away.
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this {man} seeketh mischief: for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I denied him not.
And all the elders and all the people said to him, Hearken not {to him} , nor consent.
Wherefore he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first, I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.
And Ben-hadad sent to him, and said, The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell {him} , Let not him that girdeth on {his harness} boast himself as he that putteth it off.
And it came to pass, when {Ben-hadad} heard this message as he {was} drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set {yourselves in array} . And they set {themselves in array} against the city.
And behold, there came a prophet to Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thy hand this day; and thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, {Even} by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, {even} all the children of Israel, {being} seven thousand.
And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad {was} drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.
And he said, Whether they have come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they have come out for war, take them alive.
So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.
And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with the horsemen.
And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said to him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.
And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, Their gods {are} gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.
And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:
And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, {and} surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened to their voice, and did so.
And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.
And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
And there came a man of God, and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD {is} God of the hills, but he {is} not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And they encamped one over against the other seven days. And {so} it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians a hundred thousand footmen in one day.
But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and {there} a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men {that were} left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel {are} merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: it may be he will save thy life.
So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and {put} ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, {Is} he yet alive? he {is} my brother.
Now the men diligently observed whether {any thing would come} from him, and did hastily catch {it} : and they said, Thy brother Ben-hadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
And {Ben-hadad} said to him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then {said Ahab} , I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.
And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.
Then said he to him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou hast departed from me, a lion will slay thee. And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.
Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded {him} .
So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
And as the king passed by, he cried to the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man to me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he shall be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, So {shall} thy judgment {be} ; thyself hast decided {it} .
And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he {was} of the prophets.
And he said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of {thy} hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
And it came to pass after these things, {that} Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which {was} in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it {is} near to my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; {or} if it seemeth good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee.
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased, because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid himself down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?
And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it pleaseth thee, I will give thee {another} vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
And Jezebel his wife said to him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, {and} eat bread, and let thy heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed {them} with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles that {were} in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And {then} carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.
And the men of his city, {even} the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, {and} as it {was} written in the letters which she had sent to them.
They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, {even} against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth blasphemed God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who {is} in Samaria: behold, {he is} in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
And thou shalt speak to him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak to him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found {thee} : because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab the males, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,
And will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation with which thou hast provoked {me} to anger, and made Israel to sin.
And of Jezebel also spoke the LORD, saying, the dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.
But there was none like Ahab, who sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife instigated.
And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all {things} as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: {but} in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.
And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
And the king of Israel said to his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead {is} ours, and we {are} still, {and} take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?
And he said to Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I {am} as thou {art} , my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to-day.
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the LORD will deliver {it} into the hand of the king.
And Jehoshaphat said, {Is there} not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we may inquire of him?
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, {There is} yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten {hither} Micaiah the son of Imlah.
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou hast consumed them.
And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the LORD will deliver {it} into the king's hand.
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah, spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets {declare} good to the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak {that which is} good.
And Micaiah said, {As} the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith to me, that will I speak.
So he came to the king. And the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD will deliver {it} into the hand of the king.
And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but {that which is} true in the name of the LORD?
And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said in this manner, and another said in that manner.
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
And the LORD said to him, With what? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets? And he said, Thou shalt persuade {him} , and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak to thee?
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this {man} in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
And Micaiah said, If thou shalt return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it {is} the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it {was} not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.
And a {certain} man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said to the driver of his chariot, Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at evening: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the setting of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.
So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
And {one} washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armor; according to the word of the LORD which he spoke.
Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
Jehoshaphat {was} thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in all the way of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing {that which was} right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; {for} the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he removed from the land.
{There was} then no king in Edom: a deputy {was} king.
Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.
Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab to Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.
And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
For he served Baal, and worshiped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that {was} in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said to them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this disease.
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, {Is it} not because {there is} not a God in Israel, {that} ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
And when the messengers turned back to him, he said to them, Why have ye now returned?
And they said to him, There came up a man to meet us, and said to us, Go, turn again to the king that sent you, and say to him, Thus saith the LORD, {Is it} not because {there is} not a God in Israel, {that} thou sendest to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
And he said to them, What manner of man {was he} who came up to meet you, and told you these words?
And they answered him, {He was} a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It {is} Elijah the Tishbite.
Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and behold, he sat on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I {am} a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
Again also he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
And Elijah answered and said to them, If I {am} a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said to him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him to the king.
And he said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, {is it} not because {there is} no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
And Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said, {As} the LORD liveth, and {as} thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.
And the sons of the prophets that {were} at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said to him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he said, Yes, I know {it} ; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said to him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, {As} the LORD liveth, and {as} thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
And the sons of the prophets that {were} at Jericho came to Elisha, and said to him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he answered, Yes, I know {it} ; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said to him, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, {As} the LORD liveth, and {as} thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped {it} together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
And it came to pass, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: {nevertheless} , if thou shalt see me {when I am} taken from thee, it shall be so to thee; but if not, it shall not be {so} .
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that behold, {there appeared} a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw {it} , and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where {is} the LORD God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets who {were} to view at Jericho, saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
And they said to him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said to them, Did I not say to you, Go not?
And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city {is} pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water {is} bad, and the ground barren.
And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought {it} to him.
And he went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren {land} .
So the waters were healed to this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spoke.
And he went up from thence to Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, thou bald-head; go up, thou bald-head.
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tore forty and two children of them.
And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria {in} the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.
Nevertheless, he cleaved to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and rendered to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.
And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go: I {am} as thou {art} , my people as thy people, {and} my horses as thy horses.
And he said, which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.
So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the army, and for the cattle that followed them.
And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!
But Jehoshaphat said, {Is there} not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here {is} Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? go to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said to him, No: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
And Elisha said, {As} the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look towards thee, nor see thee.
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
And this is {but} a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
And ye shall smite every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.
And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat-offering was offered, that behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood in the border.
And they rose early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side {as} red as blood:
And they said, This {is} blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in {their} country.
And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirhara-seth they left the stones of it; but the slingers went about {it} , and smote it.
And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too severe for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through to the king of Edom: but they could not.
Then he took his eldest son that was to reign in his stead, and offered him {for} a burnt-offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: And they departed from him, and returned to {their own} land.
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant feared the LORD: and the creditor hath come to take to him my two sons to be bond-men.
And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, {even} empty vessels; borrow not a few.
And when thou hast come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought {the vessels} to her; and she poured out.
And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said to her, {There is} not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children on the remainder.
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where {was} a distinguished woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And {so} it was, {that} as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this {is} a holy man of God, who passeth by us continually.
Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunamite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
And he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what {is} to be done for thee? wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among my own people.
And he said, What then {is} to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, {thou} man of God, do not lie to thy handmaid.
And the woman conceived, and bore a son at that season that Elisha had said to her, according to the time of life.
And when the child was grown, it happened on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
And he said to his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and {then} died.
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut {the door} upon him, and went out.
And she called to her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
And he said, Why wilt thou go to him to-day? {it is} neither new-moon, nor sabbath. And she said, {It shall be} well.
Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not {thy} riding for me, except I bid thee.
So she went and came to the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, {yonder is} that Shunamite:
Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say to her, {Is it} well with thee? {Is it} well with thy husband? {Is it} well with the child? and she answered, {It is} well.
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul {is} sorrowful within her: and the LORD hath hid {it} from me, and hath not told me?
Then she said, Did I ask a son from my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me.
Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins and take my staff in thy hand, and go thy way: and if thou shalt meet any man, salute him not; and if any shall salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
And the mother of the child said, {As} the LORD liveth, and {as} thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but {there was} neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
And when Elisha had come into the house, behold, the child was dead, {and} laid upon his bed.
He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them both, and prayed to the LORD.
And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child became warm.
Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunamite. So he called her. And when she had come in to him, he said, Take up thy son.
Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And {there was} a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets {were} sitting before him: and he said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.
And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred {them} into the pot of pottage: for they knew {them} not.
So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O {thou} man of God, {there is} death in the pot. And they could not eat {of it} .
But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast {it} into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in its husk. And he said, Give to the people, that they may eat.
And his servitor said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave {of it} .
So he set {it} before them, and they ate, and left {of it} , according to the word of the LORD.
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance to Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, {but he was} a leper.
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
And she said to her mistress, I would that my lord {were} with the prophet that {is} in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
And {one} went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that {is} of the land of Israel.
And the king of Syria said, Come, go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand {pieces} of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter hath come to thee, behold, I have {with this} sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, {Am} I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send to me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
And it was {so} , when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Why hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
{Are} not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
And his servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, My father, {if} the prophet had bid thee {do some} great thing, wouldst thou not have done {it} ? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
Then he went down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that {there is} no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing from thy servant.
But he said, {As} the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take {it} ; but he refused.
And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD.
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, {that} when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
And he said to him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but {as} the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat from him.
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw {him} running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, {Is} all well?
And he said, All {is} well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there have come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid {them} upon two of his servants; and they bore {them} before him.
And when he came to the tower, he took {them} from their hand, and bestowed {them} in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
But he went in, and stood before his master: and Elisha said to him, Whence {comest thou} Gehazi? and he said, Thy servant went no whither.
And he said to him, Went not my heart {with thee} , when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? {Is it} a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants?
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave to thee, and to thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper {as white} as snow.
And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too narrow for us.
Let us go, we pray thee, to Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast {it} in thither; and the iron floated.
Therefore said he, Take {it} up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place {shall be} my camp.
And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians have come down.
And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said to them, Will ye not show me which of us {is} for the king of Israel?
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that {is} in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bed-chamber.
And he said, Go, and spy where he {is} , that I may send and bring him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, {he is} in Dothan.
Therefore he sent thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and encompassed the city.
And when the servant of the man of God had risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that {are} with us {are} more than they that {are} with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain {was} full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And Elisha said to them, This {is} not the way, neither {is} this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
And it came to pass, when they had come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these {men} , that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, {they were} in the midst of Samaria.
And the king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite {them} ? shall I smite {them} ?
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite {them} : wouldst thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drank, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
And there was a great famine in Samaria: and behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was {sold} for eighty {pieces} of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five {pieces} of silver.
And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman to him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
And he said, If the LORD doth not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barn-floor, or out of the wine-press?
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? and she answered, This woman said to me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to-day, and we will eat my son to-morrow.
So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and behold, {he had} sackcloth within upon his flesh.
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and {the king} sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away my head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: {is} not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down to him: and he said, Behold, this evil {is} from the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To-morrow about this time {shall} a measure of fine flour {be sold} for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, {if} the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see {it} with thy eyes, but shalt not eat of it.
And there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine {is} in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall to the army of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
And they rose in the twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians: and when they had come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, {there was} no man there.
For the LORD had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, {even} the noise of a great army: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it {was} , and fled for their life.
And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid {it} ; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence {also} , and went and hid {it} .
Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day {is} a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.
So they came and called to the porter of the city: and they told him, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, {there was} no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they {were} .
And he called the porters; and they told {it} to the king's house within.
And the king arose in the night, and said to his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we {are} hungry; therefore they have gone out of the camp, to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.
And one of his servants answered and said, Let {some} take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they {are} as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, {I say} , they {are} even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.
They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
And they went after them to Jordan: and lo, all the way {was} full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.
And the people went out, and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was {sold} for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him.
And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to-morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:
And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, {if} the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thy eyes, but shalt not eat of it.
And so it happened to him: for the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died.
Then Elisha spoke to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn wherever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
And the woman arose, and did according to the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry to the king for her house, and for her land.
And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this {is} the woman, and this {is} her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that {was} hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land even till now.
And Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told to him, saying, The man of God hath come hither.
And the king said to Hazael, Take a present in thy hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
And Elisha said to him, Go, say to him, Thou mayest certainly recover: but the LORD hath showed me, that he shall surely die.
And he settled his countenance steadfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do to the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
And Hazael said, But what, {is} thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shown me that thou {wilt be} king over Syria.
So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me {that} thou shouldest surely recover.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped {it} in water, and spread {it} on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat {being} then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah, for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, {and} to his children.
In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.
So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites who encompassed him, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers, in the city of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign.
Two and twenty years old {was} Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as {did} the house of Ahab: for he {was} the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.
And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said to him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thy hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead:
And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;
Then take the box of oil, and pour {it} on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.
So the young man, {even} the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.
And when he came, behold, the captains of the host {were} sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, To which of us all? And he said, To thee, O captain.
And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, {even} over Israel.
And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.
For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab the males, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:
And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:
And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and {there shall be} none to bury {her} . And he opened the door, and fled.
Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and {one} said to him, {Is} all well? Why came this mad {man} to thee? And he said to them, Ye know the man, and his communication.
And they said, {It is} false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.
Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put {it} under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.
But king Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it is your minds, {then} let none go forth {nor} escape from the city to go to tell {it} in Jezreel.
So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.
And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, {Is it} peace?
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, {Is it} peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he doth not return.
Then he sent out a second on horseback, who came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, {Is it} peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and doth not return? and the driving {is} like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.
And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, {Is it} peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the lewd acts of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts {are so} many?
And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, {There is} treachery, O Ahaziah.
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
Then said {Jehu} to Bidkar his captain, Take up, {and} cast him into the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;
Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take {and} cast him into the plat {of ground} , according to the word of the LORD.
But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw {this} , he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. {And they did so} at the going up to Gur, which {is} by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulcher with his fathers in the city of David.
And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.
And when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard {of it} ; and she painted her face, and adorned her head, and looked out at a window.
And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, {Had} Zimri peace, who slew his master?
And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who {is} on my side? who? And there looked out to him two {or} three eunuchs.
And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and {some} of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trod her under foot.
And when he had come in, he ate, and drank, and said, Go, see now this cursed {woman} , and bury her: for she {is} a king's daughter.
And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of {her} hands.
Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This {is} the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:
And the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; {so} that they shall not say, This {is} Jezebel.
And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's {children} , saying,
Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master's sons {are} with you, and {there are} with you chariots and horses, a fortified city also, and armor;
Look out the best and meetest of your master's sons, and set {him} on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.
But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
And he that {was} over the house, and he that {was} over the city, the elders also, and those who brought up {the children} , sent to Jehu, saying, We {are} thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou {that which is} good in thy eyes.
Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, if ye {are} mine, and {if} ye will hearken to my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to-morrow this time. Now the king's sons {being} seventy persons, {were} with the great men of the city, who brought them up.
And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent {them} to him to Jezreel.
And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning.
And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye {are} righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
Know now that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spoke concerning the house of Ahab; for the LORD hath done {that} which he spoke by his servant Elijah.
So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsmen, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. {And} as he {was} at the shearing-house in the way,
Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who {are} ye? And they answered, We {are} the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing-house, {even} two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
And when he had departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab {coming} to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thy heart right, as my heart {is} with thy heart; And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it is, give {me} thy hand. And he gave {him} his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spoke to Elijah.
And Jehu convened all the people, and said to them, Ahab served Baal a little; {but} Jehu shall serve him much.
Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice {to do} to Baal: whoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did {it} in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal.
And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed {it} .
And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
And he said to him that {was} over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.
And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said to the worshipers of Baal, Search, and look that there are here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshipers of Baal only.
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings, Jehu appointed eighty men without, and said, {If} any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, {he that letteth him go} , his life {shall be} for the life of him.
And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, {and} slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast {them} out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.
And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.
And they broke down the image of Baal, and broke down the house of Baal, and made it a draught-house to this day.
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Yet {from} the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, {to wit} , the golden calves that {were} in Beth-el, and that {were} in Dan.
And the LORD said to Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing {that which is} right in my eyes, {and} hast done to the house of Ahab according to all that {was} in my heart, thy children of the fourth {generation} shall sit on the throne of Israel.
But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin.
In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the borders of Israel;
From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which {is} by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria {was} twenty and eight years.
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons {who were} slain; and they hid him, {even} him and his nurse, in the bed-chamber, from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah reigned over the land.
And in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and took the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and showed them the king's son.
And he commanded them, saying, This {is} the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;
And a third part {shall be} at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
And ye shall compass the king around, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain. And be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
And the captains over the hundreds did according to all {things} that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
And to the captains over hundreds the priest gave king David's spears and shields, that {were} in the temple of the LORD.
And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, around the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, {along} by the altar and the temple.
And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and {gave him} the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard {and} of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner {was} , and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets. And Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, treason.
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said to them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.
And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and broke it down; his altars and his images they broke wholly in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the the house of the LORD.
And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword {beside} the king's house.
Seven years old {was} Jehoash when he began to reign.
In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
And Jehoash did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, {even} the money of every one that passeth {the account} , the money that every man is set at, {and} all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD,
Let the priests take {it} to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wherever any breach shall be found.
But it was {so} , {that} in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the {other} priests, and said to them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no {more} money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
And the priests consented to receive no {more} money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put in it all the money {that was} brought into the house of the LORD.
And it was {so} , when they saw that {there was} much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and counted the money {that was} found in the house of the LORD.
And they gave the money, being counted, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,
And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair {it} .
Yet, there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money {that was} brought into the house of the LORD:
But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired with it the house of the LORD.
Moreover, they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
The trespass-money and sin-money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'.
Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold {that was} found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent {it} to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.
And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, {and reigned} seventeen years.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all {their} days.
And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened to him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.
(And the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as formerly.
Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, {but} walked in them: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.
In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, {and he reigned} sixteen years.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: {but} he walked in them.
And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
Now Elisha had fallen sick of his disease of which he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
And Elisha said to him, Take bow and arrows. And he took to him bow and arrows.
And he said to the king of Israel, Put thy hand upon the bow. And he put his hand {upon it} : and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened {it} . Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou hast consumed {them} .
And he said, Take the arrows. And he took {them} . And he said to the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and ceased.
And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldst have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed {it} : whereas now thou shalt smite Syria {but} thrice.
And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that behold, they spied a band {of men} ; and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood on his feet.
But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
And the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither did he as yet reject them from his presence.
So Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead.
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken from the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash defeated him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and {he} reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
But, the high places were not taken away: as yet the people sacrificed, and burnt incense on the high places.
And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants who had slain the king his father.
But the children of the murderers he slew not: according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, in which the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
He slew of Edom in the valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel to this day.
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that {was} in Lebanon sent to the cedar that {was} in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son for a wife: and there passed by a wild beast that {was} in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.
Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thy heart hath lifted thee up: glory {of this} , and tarry at home: for why shouldst thou meddle to {thy} hurt, that thou shouldst fall, {even} thou, and Judah with thee?
But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up: and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which {belongeth} to Judah.
And Judah was defeated before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.
And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who {was} sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, {and reigned} forty and one years.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
He restored the border of Israel from the entering of Hamath to the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spoke by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, who {was} of Gath-hepher.
For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, {that it was} very bitter: for {there was} not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, {which belonged} to Judah, for Israel, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, {even} with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house. And Jotham the king's son {was} over the house, judging the people of the land.
And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold they {are} written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
This {was} the word of the LORD which he spoke to Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth {generation} . And so it came to pass.
Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they {are} written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that {were} in it, and the borders of it from Tirzah: because they opened not {to him} , therefore he smote {it} ; {and} all the women in it that were with child he ripped up.
In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, {and reigned} ten years in Samaria.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
{And} Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, {even} of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.
And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, {and reigned} two years.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they {are} written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, {and reigned} twenty years.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they {are} written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel, began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
Yet, the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
In those days the LORD began to send against Judah, Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: And Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
Twenty years old {was} Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome {him} .
At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and have dwelt there to this day.
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I {am} thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me from the hand of the king of Syria, and from the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me.
And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent {it for} a present to the king of Assyria.
And the king of Assyria hearkened to him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried {the people of} it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that {was} at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship of it.
And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made {it} against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
And when the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered on it.
And he burnt his burnt-offering and his meat-offering, and poured his drink-offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace-offerings upon the altar.
And he brought also the brazen altar, which {was} before the LORD, from the front of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt-offering, and the evening meat-offering, and the king's burnt-sacrifice, and his meat-offering, with the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire {by} .
Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.
And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that {were} under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.
And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, he turned from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him.
Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.
And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as {he had done} year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.
Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor {by} the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
For {so} it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel which they had made.
And the children of Israel did secretly things that {were} not right against the LORD their God, and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.
And they set up for themselves images and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree:
And there they burnt incense on all the high places, as {did} the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
For they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, Ye shall not do this thing.
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, {and by} all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments {and} my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that {were} around them, {concerning} whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves molten images, {even} two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.
For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;
Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.
And the king of Assyria brought {men} from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed {them} in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in its cities.
And {so} it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, {that} they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew {some} of them.
Wherefore they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.
Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.
Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.
Yet, every nation made gods of their own, and put {them} in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they dwelt.
And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
So they feared the LORD, and made to themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.
They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
To this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;
With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
But the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an out-stretched arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.
And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods.
And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.
But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.
Yet they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner.
So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they to this day.
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, {that} Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also {was} Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
He removed the high places, and broke the images, and cut down the groves, and broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for till those days the children of Israel burnt incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor {any} that were before him.
For he cleaved to the LORD, {and} departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD was with him; {and} he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
He smote the Philistines, {even} to Gaza, and its borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which {was} the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, {that} Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
And at the end of three years they took it: {even} in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that {is} the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.
And the king of Assyria carried away Israel to Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor {by} the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:
Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, {and} all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear {them} , nor do {them} .
Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them.
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me I will bear. And the king of Assyria appointed to Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
And Hezekiah gave {him} all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.
At that time did Hezekiah cut off {the gold from} the doors of the temple of the LORD, and {from} the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rab-shakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army against Jerusalem: and they went up, and came to Jerusalem: and when they had come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which {is} in the highway of the fuller's field.
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who {was} over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
And Rab-shakeh said to them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence {is} this in which thou trustest?
Thou sayest, but {they are but} vain words, I {have} counsel and strength for the war. Now in whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Now behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, {even} upon Egypt, on which if a man leaneth, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so {is} Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him.
But if ye say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: {is} not that he whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou shalt be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
Have I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah, to Rab-shakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand {it} : and talk not with us in the Jews language in the ears of the people that {are} on the wall.
But Rab-shakeh said to them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? {hath he} not {sent me} to the men who sit on the wall, that they may feed on their vilest excretions with you?
Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews language, and spoke, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make {an agreement} with me by a present, and come out to me, and {then} eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive-oil and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not to Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
Where {are} the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where {are} the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
Who {are} they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who {was} over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with {their} clothes rent, and told him the words of Rab-shakeh.
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard {it} , that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
And he sent Eliakim, who {was} over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
And they said to him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day {is} a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children have come to the birth, and {there is} not strength to bring forth.
It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up {thy} prayer for the remnant that are left.
So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
And Isaiah said to them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
So Rab-shakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish.
And when he heard it said of Tirhakah king of Cush, Behold, he hath come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,
Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; {as} Gozan and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden who {were} in Thelasar?
Where {is} the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, who dwellest {between} the cherubim, thou art the God, {even} thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
LORD, bow down thy ear, and hear: open, LORD, thy eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, who hath sent him to reproach the living God.
Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they {were} no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou {art} the LORD God, {even} thou only.
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, {That} which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
This {is} the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, {and} laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted {thy} voice, and lifted up thy eyes on high: {even} against the Holy {One} of Israel.
By thy messengers thou hast reproached the LORD, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the hight of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down its tall cedar trees, {and} its choice fir trees: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, {and into} the forest of his Carmel.
I have digged and drank strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.
Hast thou not heard long ago {how} I have done it, {and} of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldst be to lay waste fortified cities {in} ruinous heaps.
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were {as} the grass of the field, and {as} the green herb, {as} the grass on the house-tops, and {as corn} blasted before it is grown up.
But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
And this {shall be} a sign to thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits of it.
And the remnant that hath escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape from mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD {of hosts} shall do this.
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
For I will defend this city, to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they {were} all dead corpses.
So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
And it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.
In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,
I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done {that which is} good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept grievously.
And it came to pass, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up to the house of the LORD.
And I will add to thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid {it} on the boil, and he recovered.
And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, What {shall be} the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten degrees: no, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
And Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz.
At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
And Hezekiah hearkened to them, and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and {all} the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.
Then came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country {even} from Babylon.
And he said, What have they seen in thy house? And Hezekiah answered, All {the things} that {are} in my house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.
And Isaiah said to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
Behold, the days come, that all that {is} in thy house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store to this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good {is} the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, {Is it} not {good} , if peace and truth shall be in my days?
And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Manasseh {was} twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Hephzi-bah.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.
And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he committed much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke {him} to anger.
And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.
But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.
And the LORD spoke by his servants the prophets, saying,
Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, {and} hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who {were} before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I {am} bringing {such} evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.
And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as {a man} wipeth a dish, wiping {it} , and turning {it} upside down.
And I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
Because they have done {that which was} evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.
Moreover, Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing evil in the sight of the LORD.
Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
Amon {was} twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did.
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshiped them:
And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.
And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And he was buried in his sepulcher in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.
Josiah {was} eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, {that} the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
Go to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered from the people:
And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work, which {is} in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
To carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber, and hewn stone to repair the house.
But there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
And Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great {is} the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
And she said to them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon its inhabitants, {even} all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place and shall not be quenched.
But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, {concerning} the words which thou hast heard;
Because thy heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard {thee} , saith the LORD.
Behold therefore, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thy eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
And the king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.
And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all {their} heart and all {their} soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them to Beth-el.
And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places around Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped {it} small to powder, and cast the powder of it upon the graves of the children of the people.
And he broke down the houses of the sodomites that {were} by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.
And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burnt incense, from Geba to Beer-sheba, and broke down the high places of the gates that {were} in the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which {were} on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.
Nevertheless, the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they ate of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
And he defiled Topheth, which {is} in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which {was} in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
And the altars that {were} on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and broke {them} down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.
And the high places that {were} before Jerusalem, which {were} on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
And he broke in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.
Moreover, the altar that {was} at Beth-el, {and} the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down, and burned the high place, {and} stamped {it} small to powder, and burned the grove.
And as Josiah turned himself, he espied the sepulchers that {were} there on the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchers, and burned {them} upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.
Then he said, What title {is} that which I see? And the men of the city told him, {It is} the sepulcher of the man of God, who came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Beth-el.
And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
And all the houses also of the high places that {were} in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke {the LORD} to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el.
And he slew all the priests of the high places, that {were} there upon the altars, and burnt men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.
And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover to the LORD your God, as {it is} written in the book of this covenant.
Surely there was not held such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.
But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, {in which} this passover was held to the LORD in Jerusalem.
Moreover the {workers with} familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.
And like him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there {any} like him.
Notwithstanding, the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations by which Manasseh had provoked him.
And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will reject this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulcher. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.
Jehoahaz {was} twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and subjected the land to a tribute of a hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
And Pharaoh-nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt and died there.
And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold from the people of the land, from every one according to his taxation, to give {it} to Pharaoh-nechoh.
Jehoiakim {was} twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.
Surely at the commandment of the LORD came {this} upon Judah, to remove {them} out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;
And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
Jehoiachin {was} eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name {was} Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants besieged it.
And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, {even} ten thousand captives, and all the artificers, and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, {those} carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
And all the men of might, {even} seven thousand, and artificers and smiths a thousand, all {that were} strong {and} apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Zedekiah {was} twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth {day} of the month, {that} Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it on all sides.
And the city was besieged to the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
And on the ninth {day} of the {fourth} month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
And the city was broken up, and all the men of war {fled} by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which {is} by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees {were} against the city on all sides:) and {the king} went the way towards the plain.
And the army of the Chaldees pursued the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.
So they took the king, and brought him to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.
And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
And in the fifth month, on the seventh {day} of the month, which {is} the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, to Jerusalem:
And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great {man's} house he burnt with fire.
And all the army of the Chaldees, that {were with} the captain of the guard, broke down the walls of Jerusalem on all sides.
Now the rest of the people {that were} left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carry away.
But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land {to be} vine-dressers and husbandmen.
And the pillars of brass that {were} in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that {was} in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.
And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass with which they ministered, they took away.
And the fire-pans, and the bowls, {and} such things as {were} of gold, {in} gold, and of silver, {in} silver, the captain of the guard took away.
The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
The hight of the one pillar {was} eighteen cubits, and the capital upon it {was} brass: and the hight of the capital three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the capital around, all of brass: and like to these had the second pillar with wreathen work.
And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king's presence, who were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land {that were} found in the city:
And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:
And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.
And {as for} the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.
And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of Maachathite, they and their men.
And Gedaliah swore to them, and to their men, and said to them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.
But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.
And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth {day} of the month, {that} Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
And he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that {were} with him in Babylon;
And changed his prison garments: and he ate bread continually before him all the days of his life.
And his allowance {was} a continual allowance given him by the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.
Adam, Sheth, Enosh,
Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,
Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
And the sons of Gomer; Ashchenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
And the sons of Javan; Elisha, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
And Cush begat Nimrod. He began to be mighty upon the earth.
And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines,) and Caphthorim.
And Canaan begat Zidon his first-born, and Heth,
The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,
And the Hivite, and the Archite, and the Sinite,
And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber.
And to Eber were born two sons: the name of the one {was} Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name {was} Joktan.
And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,
And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these {were} the sons of Joktan.
Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
Eber, Peleg, Reu,
Serug, Nahor, Terah,
Abram; the same {is} Abraham.
The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.
These {are} their generations. The first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these {are} the sons of Keturah,
And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.
The sons of Esau; Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
And the sons of Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezar, and Dishan.
And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam: and Timna {was} Lotan's sister.
The sons of Shobal; Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon; Aiah, and Anah.
The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons of Dishon; Amram, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
The sons of Ezer; Bilhan, and Zavan, {and} Jakan. The sons of Dishan; Uz, and Aran.
Now these {are} the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before {any} king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city {was} Dinhabah.
And when Bela was dead Jobab the son of Zera of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.
And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city {was} Avith.
And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.
And when Shaul was dead, Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
And when Baal-hanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city {was} Pai; and his wife's name {was} Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
Hadad died also. And the dukes of Edom were; duke Timna, duke Aliah, duke Jetheth,
Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
Duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These {are} the dukes of Edom.
These {are} the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,
Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: {which} three were born to him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the first-born of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.
And Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah {were} five.
The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul.
And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.
And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.
And the sons of Ethan; Azariah.
The sons also of Hezron, that were born to him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.
And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,
And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
And Jesse begat his first-born Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,
Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:
Whose sisters {were} Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
And Abigail bore Amasa: and the father of Amasa {was} Jether the Ishmaelite.
And Caleb the son of Hezron begat {children} of Azubah {his} wife, and of Jerioth: her sons {are} these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took to him Ephrath, who bore to him Hur,
And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel.
And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he {was} sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.
And Segub begat Jair, who had three and twenty cities in the land of Gilead.
And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath and its towns, {even} sixty cities. All these {belonged to} the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead.
And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-ephratah, then Abiah Hezron's wife bore him Ashur the father of Tekoa.
And the sons of Jerahmeel the first-born of Hezron were, Ram the first-born, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, {and} Ahijah.
Jerahmeel had also another wife, whose name {was} Atarah; she {was} the mother of Onam.
And the sons of Ram the first-born of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.
And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and Jada. And the sons of Shammai; Nadab, and Abishur.
And the name of the wife of Abishur {was} Abihail; and she bore him Ahban, and Molid.
And the sons of Nadab; Seled, and Appaim: but Seled died without children.
And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan. And the children of Sheshan; Ahlai.
And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children.
And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.
Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name {was} Jarha.
And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant for a wife; and she bore him Attai.
And Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat Zabad,
And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,
And Obed begat Jehu, and Jehu begat Azariah,
And Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Eleasah,
And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum,
And Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begat Elishama.
Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel {were} , Mesha his first-born, who {was} the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
And the sons of Hebron; Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rekem begat Shammai.
And the son of Shammai {was} Maon: and Maon {was} the father of Beth-zur.
And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez.
And the sons of Jahdai; Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber, and Tirhanah.
She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb {was} Achsah.
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the first-born of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim,
Salma the father of Beth-lehem, Hareph the father of Beth-gader.
And Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim had sons; Haroeh, {and} half of the Manahethites.
And the families of Kirjath-jearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zereathites, and the Eshtaulites.
The sons of Salma; Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Menahethites, the Zorites.
And the families of the scribes who dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, {and} Suchathites. These {are} the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.
Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron; the first-born Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.
{These} six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.
And these were born to him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel:
Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
{These were} all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
And Solomon's son {was} Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
Amon his son, Josiah his son.
And the sons of Josiah {were} , the first-born Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
And the sons of Jehoiakim; Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son.
Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
And the sons of Pedaiah {were} , Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed, five.
And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah; and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three.
And the sons of Elioenai {were} , Hodaiah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Delaiah, and Anani, seven.
The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These {are} the families of the Zorathites.
And these {were of} the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister {was} Hazelelponi:
And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These {are} the sons of Hur, the first-born of Ephratah, the father of Beth-lehem.
And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
And Naarah bore him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These {were} the sons of Naarah.
And the sons of Helah {were} , Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan.
And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep {me} from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, who {was} the father of Eshton.
And Eshton begat Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash. These {are} the men of Rechah.
And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; Hathath.
And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were artificers.
And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.
And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.
And the sons of Ezra {were} , Jethur, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bore Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
And his wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these {are} the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh whom Mered took.
And the sons of {his} wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.
And the sons of Shimon {were} , Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi {were} , Zoheth, and Benzoheth.
The sons of Shelah the son of Judah {were} , Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem. And {these are} ancient things.
These {were} the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
The sons of Simeon {were} Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, {and} Shaul:
Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.
And the sons of Mishma; Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son.
And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like the children of Judah.
And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, and Hazar-shual,
And at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad,
And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,
And at Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susim, and at Beth-birei, and at Shaaraim. These {were} their cities to the reign of David.
And their villages {were} , Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:
And all their villages that {were} around the same cities to Baal. These {were} their habitations, and their genealogy.
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,
And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,
And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah;
These mentioned by {their} names {were} princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
And they went to the entrance of Gedor, {even} to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
And they found rich pasture and good, and the land {was} wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for {they} of Ham had dwelt there of old.
And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly to this day, and dwelt in their room: because {there was} pasture there for their flocks.
And {some} of them, {even} of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that had escaped, and have dwelt there to this day.
Now the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel, (for he {was} the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birth-right was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birth-right.
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him {came} the chief ruler; but the birth-right {was} Joseph's:)
The sons, {I say} , of Reuben the first-born of Israel {were} , Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,
Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away {captive} : he {was} prince of the Reubenites.
And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, {were} the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even to Nebo, and Baal-meon:
And eastward he inhabited to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.
And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east {land} of Gilead.
And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan to Salcah:
Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
And their brethren of the house of their fathers {were} , Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.
These {are} the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.
And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in its towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.
All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war, {were} four and forty thousand seven hundred and sixty, that went out to the war.
And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that {were} with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated by them; because they put their trust in him.
And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men a hundred thousand.
For there fell down many slain, because the war {was} of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir, and to mount Hermon.
And these {were} the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, {and} heads of the house of their fathers.
And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went astray after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, to this day.
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
And Johanan begat Azariah, (he {it is} that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
And Jehozadak went {into captivity} , when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
And these {are} the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
And the sons of Kohath {were} , Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these {are} the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
{As for} Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
And the sons of Samuel; the first-born Vashni, and Abiah.
The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
And these {are they} whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.
And they ministered before the dwelling-place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and {then} they waited on their office, according to their order.
And these {are} they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, {even} Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
And their brethren the sons of Merari {stood} on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,
The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
Their brethren also the Levites {were} appointed to all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt-offering, and on the altar of incense, {and were appointed} for all the work of the {place} most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
And these {are} the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Now these {are} their dwelling-places throughout their castles in their limits, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and its suburbs around it.
But the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, {namely} , Hebron, {the city} of refuge, and Libnah with its suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
And Hilen with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs,
And Ashan with its suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with its suburbs:
And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with its suburbs, and Alemeth with its suburbs, and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families {were} thirteen cities.
And to the sons of Kohath {who were} left of the family of that tribe, {were cities given} out of the half tribe, {namely} , {out of} the half {tribe} of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families {were given} out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
To the sons of Merari {were given} by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites {these} cities with their suburbs.
And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by {their} names.
And {the residue} of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim.
And they gave to them, {of} the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with its suburbs; {they gave} also Gezer with its suburbs,
And Jokmeam with its suburbs, and Beth-horon with its suburbs,
And Ajalon with its suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with its suburbs:
And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with its suburbs, and Bileam with its suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
To the sons of Gershom {were given} out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, and Ashtaroth with its suburbs:
And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,
And Ramoth with its suburbs, and Anem with its suburbs:
And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with its suburbs, and Abdon with its suburbs,
And Hukok with its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs:
And out of the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, and Hammon with its suburbs, and Kirjathaim with its suburbs.
To the rest of the children of Merari {were given} out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with its suburbs, Tabor with its suburbs:
And on the other side of Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, {were given them} out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with its suburbs, and Jahzah with its suburbs,
Kedemoth also with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs:
And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, and Mahanaim with its suburbs,
And Heshbon with its suburbs, and Jazer with its suburbs.
Now the sons of Issachar, {were} , Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, {to wit} , of Tola: {they were} valiant men of might in their generations; whose number {was} in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishaiah, five: all of them chief men.
And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, {were} bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand {men} : for they had many wives and sons.
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar {were} valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies eighty and seven thousand.
{The sons} of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of {their} fathers, mighty men of valor; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these {are} the sons of Becher.
And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valor, {was} twenty thousand and two hundred.
The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valor, {were} seventeen thousand and two hundred {soldiers} , fit to go out for war {and} battle.
Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, {and} Hushim, the sons of Aher.
The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bore: ({but} his concubine the Aramitess bore Machir the father of Gilead:
And Machir took for a wife {the sister} of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name {was} Maachah;) and the name of the second {was} Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
And Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother {was} Sheresh; and his sons {were} Ulam, and Rakem.
And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These {were} the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
And his sister Hammoleketh bore Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
And the sons of Shemida were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath {that were} born in {that} land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.
(And his daughter {was} Sherah, who built Beth-horon the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen-sherah.)
And Rephah {was} his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,
Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
Non his son, Jehoshua his son.
And their possessions and habitations {were} , Beth-el, and its towns, and eastward Naaram, and westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Gaza and its towns:
And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishua, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who {is} the father of Birzavith.
And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These {are} the children of Japhlet.
And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
All these {were} the children of Asher, heads of {their} father's house, choice {and} mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were fit for war {and} for battle {was} twenty and six thousand men.
Now Benjamin begat Bela his first-born, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third.
Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
And the sons of Bela were Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
And these {are} the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:
And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.
And Shaharaim begat {children} in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara {were} his wives.
And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These {were} his sons, heads of the fathers.
And of Hushim he begat Ahitub, and Elpaal.
The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with its town:
Beriah also, and Shema, who {were} heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Ajalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
These {were} heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief {men} . These dwelt in Jerusalem.
And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name {was} Maachah:
And his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
And the son of Jonathan {was} Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah.
And the sons of Micah {were} , Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
And Moza begat Bineah: Rapha {was} his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
And Azel had six sons, whose names {are} these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these {were} the sons of Azel.
And the sons of Eshek his brother {were} , Ulam his first-born, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons a hundred and fifty. All these {are} of the sons of Benjamin.
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and behold, they {were} written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, {who} were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.
Now the first inhabitants that {dwelt} in their possessions in their cities {were} , the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;
Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.
And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the first-born, and his sons.
And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.
And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,
And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;
And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men {were} chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.
And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and sixty; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
And the porters {were} Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum {was} the chief;
Who hitherto {waited} in the king's gate eastward: they {were} porters in the companies of the children of Levi.
And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren of the house of his father, the Korahites, {were} over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, {being} over the host of the LORD, {were} keepers of the entry.
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, {and} the LORD {was} with him.
{And} Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah {was} porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
All these {who were} chosen to be porters in the gates {were} two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer ordained in their set office.
So they and their children {had} the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, {namely} , the house of the tabernacle, by wards.
In four quarters were the porters, towards the east, west, north and south.
And their brethren, {who were} in their villages, {were} to come after seven days from time to time with them.
For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in {their} set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
And they lodged about the house of God, because the charge {was} upon them, and the opening of it every morning {pertained} to them.
And {certain} of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by number.
{Some} of them also {were} appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
And {some} of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
And Mattithiah, {one} of the Levites, who {was} the first-born of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.
And {others} of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, {were} over the show-bread, to prepare {it} every sabbath.
And these {are} the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, {who remaining} in the chambers {were} free: for they were employed in {that} work day and night.
These chief fathers of the Levites {were} chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.
And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name {was} Maachah:
And his first-born son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab,
And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.
And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
And the son of Jonathan {was} Merib-baal: and Merib-baal begat Micah.
And the sons of Micah {were} , Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, {and Ahaz} .
And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;
And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
And Azel had six sons, whose names {are} these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these {were} the sons of Azel.
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
And the battle prevailed against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded by the archers.
Then said Saul to his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.
And when all the men of Israel that {were} in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines around, to carry tidings to their idols, and to the people.
And they put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, {even} against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking {counsel} of {one that had} a familiar spirit, to inquire {of it} ;
And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, Behold, we {are} thy bone and thy flesh.
And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou {wast} he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which {is} Jebus; where the Jebusites {were} , the inhabitants of the land.
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which {is} the city of David.
And David said, Whoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was chief.
And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it, The city of David.
And he built the city around, even from Millo around: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
So David became greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts {was} with him.
These also {are} the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, {and} with all Israel, to make him king according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
And this {is} the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam a Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted his spear against three hundred slain {by him} at one time.
And after him {was} Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who {was one} of the three mighties.
He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
And they set themselves in the midst of {that} parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved {them} by a great deliverance.
Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
And David {was} then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison {was} then at Beth-lehem.
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that {is} at the gate!
And the three broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that {was} by the gate, and took {it} , and brought {it} to David: but David would not drink {of} it, but poured it out to the LORD,
And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with {the jeopardy of} their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting his spear against three hundred, he slew {them} , and had a name among the three.
Of the three, he was more honorable than the two; for he was their captain: but he attained not to the {first} three.
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lion-like men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of {great} stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand {was} a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
These {things} did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
Behold, he was honorable among the thirty, but attained not to the {first} three: and David set him over his guard.
Also the valiant men of the armies {were} , Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,
Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, {that pertained} to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphel the son of Ur,
Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
Eliel the Mehavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
Now these {are} they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they {were} among the mighty men, helpers of the war.
{They were} armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in {hurling} stones, and {shooting} arrows from a bow, {even} of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.
The chief {was} Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,
And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,
Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,
Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites.
And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
And of the Gadites there separated themselves to David in the hold in the wilderness men of might, {and} men of war {fit} for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces {were like} the faces of lions, and {were} as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,
Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,
Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.
These {were} of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least {was} over a hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
These {are} they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all {them} of the valleys, {both} towards the east, and towards the west.
And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold to David.
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, If ye have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you: but if {ye have come} to betray me to my enemies, seeing {there is} no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look {on it} , and rebuke {it} .
Then the spirit came upon Amasai, {who was} chief of the captains, {and he said} , Thine {are we} , David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace {be} to thee, and peace {be} to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
And there fell {some} of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to {the jeopardy of} our heads.
And as he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that {were} of Manasseh.
And they helped David against the band {of the rovers} : for they {were} all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.
For at {that} time day by day there came to David to help him, until {it was} a great host, like the host of God.
And these {are} the numbers of the bands {that were} ready armed to the war, {and} came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
The children of Judah that bore shield and spear {were} six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed for war.
Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for war, seven thousand and one hundred.
Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
And Jehoiada {was} the leader of the Aaronites, and with him {were} three thousand and seven hundred;
And Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.
And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.
And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
And of the children of Issachar, {who were men} that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them {were} two hundred; and all their brethren {were} at their command.
Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, who could keep rank: {they were} not of double heart.
And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.
All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel {were} of one heart to make David king.
And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
Moreover, they that were nigh them, {even} to Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, {and} provision, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for {there was} joy in Israel.
And David consulted with the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, {and} with every leader.
And David said to all the congregation of Israel, If {it seemeth} good to you, and {that it is} of the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brethren every where, {that are} left in all the land of Israel, and with them {also} to the priests and Levites {who are} in their cities {and} suburbs, that they may assemble to us:
And let us bring again to us the ark of our God: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
So David assembled all Israel, from Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.
And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, {that is} , to Kirjath-jearim, which {belonged} to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth {between} the cherubim, whose name is called {on it} .
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
And David and all Israel played before God with all {their} might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
And when they came to the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God {home} to me?
So David brought not the ark to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house.
And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was exalted on high, because of his people Israel.
And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
Now these {are} the names of {his} children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard {of it} , and went out against them.
And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thy hand.
So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon my enemies by my hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
Therefore David inquired again of God: and God said to him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt go out to battle: for God hath gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
And {David} made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him for ever.
And David assembled all Israel to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.
And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:
Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twenty:
Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:
Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and thirty:
Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:
Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren eighty:
Of the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve.
And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
And said to them, Ye {are} the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, {both} ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to {the place that} I have prepared for it.
For because ye {did it} not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staffs on it, as Moses commanded, according to the word of the LORD.
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren {to be} the singers with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
And with them their brethren of the second {degree} , Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, {were appointed} to sound with cymbals of brass;
And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, {was} for song: he instructed about the song, because he {was} skillful.
And Berechiah and Elkanah {were} door-keepers for the ark.
And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-edom and Jehiah {were} door-keepers for the ark.
So David and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom with joy.
And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.
And David {was} clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also {had} upon him an ephod of linen.
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
And it came to pass, {as} the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul, looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt-sacrifices and peace-offerings before God.
And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon {of wine} .
And he appointed {certain} of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
Then on that day David delivered first {this psalm} to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Sing to him, sing psalms to him, talk ye of all his wonderous works.
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
Remember his wonderful works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
He {is} the LORD our God; his judgments {are} in all the earth.
Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word {which} he commanded to a thousand generations;
{Even of the covenant} which he made with Abraham, and of his oath to Isaac;
And which he confirmed to Jacob for a law, {and} to Israel {for} an everlasting covenant,
Saying, To thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
And {when} they went from nation to nation, and from {one} kingdom to another people;
He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
{Saying} , Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.
Declare his glory among the heathen; his wonderful works among all nations.
For great {is} the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also {is} to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the people {are} idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Glory and honor {are} in his presence; strength and gladness {are} in his place.
Give to the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give to the LORD glory and strength.
Give to the LORD the glory {due} to his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let {men} say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that {is} therein.
Then shall the trees of the wood sing at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
O give thanks to the LORD; for {he is} good; for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, {and} glory in thy praise.
Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:
And Obed-edom with their brethren, sixty and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah {to be} porters:
And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that {was} at Gibeon,
To offer burnt-offerings to the LORD upon the altar of the burnt-offering continually morning and evening, and {to do} according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;
And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy {endureth} for ever;
And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun {were} porters.
And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD {remaineth} under curtains.
Then Nathan said to David, Do all that {is} in thy heart; for God {is} with thee.
And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in:
For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from {one} tabernacle {to another} .
Wherever I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of cedars?
Now therefore thus shalt thou say to my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheep-cote, {even} from following the sheep, that thou shouldst be ruler over my people Israel:
And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thy enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that {are} in the earth.
Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning.
And since the time that I commanded judges {to be} over my people Israel. Moreover, I will subdue all thy enemies. Furthermore, I tell thee that the LORD will build thee a house.
And it shall come to pass, when thy days shall be ended that thou must go {to be} with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, who shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne for ever.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took {it} from {him} that was before thee:
But I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.
According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who {am} I, O LORD God, and what {is} my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
And {yet} this was a small thing in thy eyes, O God; for thou hast {also} spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
What can David {speak} more to thee for the honor of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thy own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all {these} great things.
O LORD, {there} is none like thee, neither {is there any} God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
And what one nation in the earth {is} like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem {to be} his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
For thy people Israel didst thou make thy own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.
Therefore now, LORD, Let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.
Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts {is} the God of Israel, {even} a God to Israel: and {let} the house of David thy servant {be} established before thee.
For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him a house: therefore thy servant hath found {in his heart} to pray before thee.
And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness to thy servant:
Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and {it shall be} blessed for ever.
Now after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, {and} brought gifts.
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot -{horses} , but reserved of them a hundred chariots.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
Then David put {garrisons} in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, {and} brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, David brought very much brass, with which Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
He sent Hadoram his son to king David to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had warred with Tou;) and {with him} all manner of vessels of gold, and silver, and brass.
Them also king David dedicated to the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all {these} nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
Moreover, Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah {was} over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, {were} the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada {was} over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David {were} chief about the king.
Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
And David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters to thee? are not his servants come to thee to search, and to overthrow, and to explore the land?
Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.
Then there went {certain} , and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards are grown, and {then} return.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria-maachah, and out of Zobah.
So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the children of Ammon assembled from their cities, and came to battle.
And when David heard {of it} , he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that had come {were} by themselves in the field.
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he selected all the choice of Israel, and put {them} in array against the Syrians.
And the rest of the people he delivered to the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set {themselves} in array against the children of Ammon.
And he said, If the Syrians shall be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon shall be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do {that which is} good in his sight.
So Joab and the people that {were} with him drew nigh before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him.
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
And when the Syrians saw that they were defeated before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that {were} beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer {went} before them.
And it was told to David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set {the battle} in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand {men who fought in} chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.
And it came to pass, that after the year had expired, at the time that kings go out {to battle} , Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
And David took the crown of their king from his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and {there were} precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also a great quantity of spoil out of the city.
And he brought out the people that {were} in it, and cut {them} with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so David dealt with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, {that was} of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear-staff {was} like a weaver's beam.
And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of {great} stature, whose fingers and toes {were} four and twenty, six {on each hand} , and six {on each foot} : and he also was the son of the giant.
But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, slew him.
These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
And Satan stood up against Israel, and incited David to number Israel.
And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know {it} .
And Joab answered, the LORD make his people a hundred times more numerous than they {are} : but, my lord the king, {are} they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. And all {they of} Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah {was} four hundred and seventy thousand men that drew sword.
But Levi and Benjamin he counted not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
And God was displeased with this thing, therefore he smote Israel.
And David said to God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
And the LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,
Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee {three} things; choose thee one of them, that I may do {it} to thee.
So Gad came to David, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while the sword of thy enemies overtaketh {thee} ; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great {are} his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.
So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thy hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders {of Israel} , {who were} clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
And David said to God, {Is it} not I {that} commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but {as for} these sheep, what have they done? let thy hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be afflicted.
Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and erect an altar to the LORD in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD.
And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked, and saw David, and went out of the threshing-floor, and bowed himself to David with {his} face to the ground.
Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of {this} threshing-floor, that I may build an altar in it to the LORD: thou shalt grant it to me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
And Ornan said to David, Take {it} to thee, and let my lord the king do {that which is} good in his eyes: lo, I give {thee} the oxen {also} for burnt-offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat-offering; I give it all.
And king David said to Ornan, No; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take {that} which {is} thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt-offerings without cost.
So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering.
And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into its sheath.
At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt-offering, {were} at that season in the high place at Gibeon.
But David could not go before it to inquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
Then David said, This {is} the house of the LORD God, and this {is} the altar of the burnt-offering for Israel.
And David commanded to assemble the strangers that {were} in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
And David said, Solomon my son {is} young and tender, and the house {that is} to be built for the LORD {must be} very magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will {therefore} now make preparation for it. So David made abundant preparation before his death.
Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel.
And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God:
But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build a house to my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies around: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I {will be} his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
Then shalt thou prosper, if thou shalt take heed to fulfill the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
Now behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add to them.
Moreover, {there are} workmen with thee in great numbers, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of skillful men for every manner of work.
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, {there is} no number. Arise {therefore} , and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, {saying} ,
{Is} not the LORD your God with you? and hath he {not} given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise, therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.
So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
And he assembled all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
Of which, twenty and four thousand {were} to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand {were} officers and judges:
Moreover, four thousand {were} porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, {said David} , to praise {with them} .
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, {namely} , Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Of the Gershonites, {were} , Laadan and Shimei.
The sons of Laadan: the chief {was} Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These {were} the chief of the fathers of Laadan.
And the sons of Shimei {were} , Jahath, Zina, and Jeush and Beriah. These four {were} the sons of Shimei.
And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to {their} father's house.
The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to him, and to bless in his name for ever.
Now {concerning} Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
The sons of Moses {were} , Gershom, and Eliezer.
Of the sons of Gershom; Shebuel {was} the chief.
And the sons of Eliezer {were} , Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.
Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jehaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
Of the sons of Uzziel; Micah the first, and Jesiah the second.
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
These {were} the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; {even} the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.
For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest to his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever;
And also to the Levites: they shall no {more} carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for its service.
For by the last words of David the Levites {were} numbered from twenty years old and above:
Because their office {was} to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
Both for the show-bread, and for the fine flour for meat-offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for {that which is baked in} the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening;
And to offer all burnt-sacrifices to the LORD on the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded to them, continually before the LORD:
And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy {place} , and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.
Now {these are} the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priests' office.
And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and {thus} were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar {there were} sixteen chief men of the house of {their} fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.
Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors {of the house} of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, {one} of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and {before} the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and {one} taken for Ithamar.
Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,
The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
The seventeenth to Hezer, the eighteenth to Aphses,
The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
These {were} the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
And the rest of the sons of Levi {were these} : Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.
Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first {was} Isshiah.
Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
And the sons {of Hebron} ; Jeriah {the first} , Amariah the second, Jehaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
{Of} the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
The brother of Michah {was} Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
The sons of Merari {were} Mahli, and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
Of Mahli {came} Eleazar, who had no sons.
Concerning Kish: the son of Kish {was} Jerahmeel.
The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These {were} the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.
Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, {and} Mahazioth:
All these {were} the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
All these {were} under the hands of their father for song {in} the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, {even} all that were skillful, was two hundred and eighty eight.
And they cast lots, ward against {ward} , as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons {were} twelve:
The third to Zaccur, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The fourth to Izri, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The fifth to Nethaniah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The sixth to Bukkiah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The seventh to Jesharelah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The eighth to Jeshaiah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The ninth to Mattaniah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The tenth to Shimei, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The eleventh to Azareel, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The twelfth to Hashabiah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The thirteenth to Shubael, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The fourteenth to Mattithiah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The fifteenth to Jeremoth, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The sixteenth to Hananiah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The eighteenth to Hanani, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The nineteenth to Mallothi, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The twentieth to Eliathah, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The one and twentieth to Hothir, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The two and twentieth to Giddalti, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve:
The four and twentieth to Romamti-ezer, {he} , his sons, and his brethren, {were} twelve.
Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites {was} Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
And the sons of Meshelemiah {were} , Zechariah the first-born, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
Moreover the sons of Obed-edom {were} , Shemaiah the first-born, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.
Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they {were} mighty men of valor.
The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren {were} strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
All these of the sons of Obed-edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, {were} sixty and two of Obed-edom.
And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.
Also Hosah of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for {though} he was not the first-born, yet his father made him the chief;)
Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah {were} thirteen.
Among these {were} the divisions of the porters, {even} among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.
And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
To obed-edom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.
To Shuppim and Hosah {the lot came forth} westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the way of the ascent, ward against ward.
Eastward {were} six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and towards Asuppim, two {and} two.
At Parbar westward, four at the causey, {and} two at Parbar.
These {are} the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
And of the Levites, Ahijah {was} over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
{As concerning} the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, {even} of Laadan the Gershonite, {were} Jehieli.
The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, {who were} over the treasures of the house of the LORD.
Of the Amramites, {and} the Izharites, the Hebronites, {and} the Uzzielites:
And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, {was} ruler of the treasures.
And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
Which Shelomith and his brethren {were} over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.
And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; {and} whoever had dedicated {any thing} , {it was} under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.
Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons {were} for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
{And} of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valor, a thousand and seven hundred, {were} officers among them of Israel on this side of Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
Among the Hebronites {was} Jerijah the chief, {even} among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.
And his brethren, men of valor, {were} two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.
Now the children of Israel after their number, {to wit} , the chief fathers, and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course {were} twenty and four thousand.
Over the first course for the first month {was} Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
Of the children of Perez, {was} the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
And over the course of the second month {was} Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course {was} Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise {were} twenty and four thousand.
The third captain of the host for the third month {was} Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
This {is that} Benaiah, {who was} mighty {among} the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course {was} Ammizabad his son.
The fourth {captain} for the fourth month {was} Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The fifth captain for the fifth month {was} Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The sixth {captain} for the sixth month {was} Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The seventh {captain} for the seventh month {was} Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The eighth {captain} for the eighth month {was} Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The ninth {captain} for the ninth month {was} Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjaminites: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The tenth {captain} for the tenth month {was} Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The eleventh {captain} for the eleventh month {was} Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
The twelfth {captain} for the twelfth month {was} Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course {were} twenty and four thousand.
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites {was} Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:
Of Judah, Elihu, {one} of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:
Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
Of the half {tribe} of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These {were} the princes of the tribes of Israel.
But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
And over the king's treasures {was} Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the store-houses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, {was} Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground {was} Ezri the son of Chelub:
And over the vineyards {was} Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars {was} Zabdi the Shiphmite:
And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that {were} in the low plains {was} Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil {was} Joash:
And over the herds that fed in Sharon {was} Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds {that were} in the valleys {was} Shaphat the son of Adlai:
Over the camels also {was} Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses {was} Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
And over the flocks {was} Jaziz the Hagerite. All these {were} the rulers of the substance which {was} king David's.
Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni {was} with the king's sons:
And Ahithophel {was} the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite {was} the king's companion:
And after Ahithophel {was} Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army {was} Joab.
And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men to Jerusalem.
Then David the king stood upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: {As for me} , I {had} in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
But God said to me, Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou {hast been} a man of war, and hast shed blood.
However the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah {to be} the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he approved me to make {me} king over all Israel:
And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
And he said to me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him {to be} my son, and I will be his father.
Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he shall be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave {it} for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou shalt seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou shalt forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do {it} .
Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses of it, and of its treasuries, and of its upper chambers, and of its inner parlors, and of the place of the mercy-seat,
And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.
{He gave} of gold by weight for {things} of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; {silver also} for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for its lamps: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, {both} for the candlestick, and {also} for its lamps, according to the use of every candlestick.
And by weight {he gave} gold for the tables of show-bread, for every table; and {likewise} silver for the tables of silver:
Also pure gold for the flesh-hooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins {he gave gold} by weight for every basin; and {likewise silver} by weight for every basin of silver:
And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out {their wings} , and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
All {this} , {said David} , the LORD made me understand in writing by {his} hand upon me, {even} all the works of this pattern.
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong, and of good courage, and do {it} : fear not, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, {even} my God, {will be} with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
And behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, {even they shall be with thee} for all the service of the house of God: and {there shall be} with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people {will be} wholly at thy command.
Furthermore David the king said to all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, {is yet} young and tender, and the work {is} great: for the palace {is} not for man, but for the LORD God.
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for {things to be made} of gold, and the silver for {things} of silver, and the brass for {things} of brass, the iron for {things} of iron, and wood for {things} of wood; onyx-stones, and {stones} to be set, glittering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of my own possessions, of gold and silver, {which} I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
{Even} three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses:
The gold for {things} of gold, and the silver for {things} of silver, and for all manner of work {to be made} by the hands of artificers. And who {then} is willing to consecrate his service this day to the LORD?
Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly,
And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
And they with whom {precious} stones were found gave {them} to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed {be} thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
Thine, O LORD, {is} the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all {that is} in the heaven and on the earth {is thine} ; thine {is} the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
Both riches and honor {come} from thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thy hand {is} power and might; and in thy hand {it is} to make great, and to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
But who {am} I, and what {is} my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things {come} from thee, and of thy own have we given thee.
For we {are} strangers before thee, and sojourners, as {were} all our fathers: our days on the earth {are} as a shadow, and {there is} no abiding.
O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name {cometh} from thy hand, and {is} all thy own.
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, who are present here, to offer willingly to thee.
O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart to thee:
And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all {these things} , and to build the palace, {for} which I have made provision.
And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD, and the king.
And they sacrificed sacrifices to the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings to the LORD, on the morrow after that day, {even} a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, {and} a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:
And ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed {him} to the LORD {to be} the chief governor, and Zadok {to be} priest.
Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves to Solomon the king.
And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him {such} royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
And the time that he reigned over Israel {was} forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty and three {years} he reigned in Jerusalem.
And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.
Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they {are} written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.
And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God {was} with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.
So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that {was} at Gibeon: for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
But the ark of God David had brought up from Kirjath-jearim to {the place which} David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought to it.
And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which {was} at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.
In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give thee.
And Solomon said to God, Thou hast shown great mercy to David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
Now, O LORD God, let thy promise to David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy great people?
And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thy enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
Wisdom and knowledge {are} granted to thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that {have been} before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Then Solomon came {from his journey} to the high place that {was} at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem {as plenteous} as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that {are} in the vale for abundance.
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
And they fetched up, and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred {shekels} of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: and so they brought out {horses} for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
And Solomon determined to build a house for the name of the LORD, and a house for his kingdom.
And Solomon numbered out seventy thousand men to bear burdens, and eighty thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him a house to dwell in it, {even so deal with me} .
Behold, I build a house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate {it} to him, {and} to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual show-bread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This {is an ordinance} for ever to Israel.
And the house which I build {is} great: for great {is} our God above all gods.
But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who {am} I then that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
Send me now therefore a man skillful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that hath skill to grave with the skillful men that {are} with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants have skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and behold, my servants {shall be} with thy servants,
Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build {shall be} wonderfully great.
And behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.
Huram said moreover, Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that may build a house for the LORD, and a house for his kingdom.
And now I have sent a skillful man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,
The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father {was} a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to engrave any manner of engraving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy skillful men, and with the skillful men of my lord David thy father.
Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine which my lord hath spoken of, let him send to his servants;
And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou mayest convey it to Jerusalem.
And Solomon numbered all the strangers that {were} in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had numbered them; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
And he set seventy thousand of them {to be} bearers of burdens, and eighty thousand {to be} hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people to work.
Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where {the LORD} appeared to David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
And he began to build in the second {day} of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
Now these {are the things in which} Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure {was} sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
And the porch that {was} in the front {of the house} , the length {of it was} according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the hight {was} a hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set on it palm trees and chains.
And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold {was} gold of Parvaim.
He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls of it, and the doors of it, with gold; and engraved cherubim on the walls.
And he made the most holy house, the length of which {was} according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth of it twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, {amounting} to six hundred talents.
And the weight of the nails {was} fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
And the wings of the cherubim {were} twenty cubits long: one wing {of the one cherub was} five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing {was likewise} five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
And {one} wing of the other cherub {was} five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing {was} five cubits {also} , joining to the wing of the other cherub.
The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces {were} inward.
And he made the vail {of} blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim upon it.
Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the capital that {was} on the top of each of them {was} five cubits.
And he made chains, {as} in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made a hundred pomegranates, and put {them} on the chains.
And he erected the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.
Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length of it, and twenty cubits the breadth of it, and ten cubits the hight of it.
Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the hight of it; and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it.
And under it {was} the similitude of oxen, which encompassed it: ten in a cubit, encompassing the sea. Two rows of oxen {were} cast, when it was cast.
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking towards the north, and three looking towards the west, and three looking towards the south, and three looking towards the east: and the sea {was set} above upon them, and all their hinder parts {were} inward.
And the thickness of it {was} a hand-breadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; {and} it received and held three thousand baths.
He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt-offering they washed in them; but the sea {was} for the priests to wash in.
And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set {them} in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
He made also ten tables, and placed {them} in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made a hundred basins of gold.
Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.
And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;
{To wit} , the two pillars, and the pommels, and the capitals {which were} on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the capitals which {were} on the top of the pillars;
And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the capitals which {were} upon the pillars.
He made also bases, and lavers he made upon the bases;
One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
The pots also, and the shovels, and the flesh-hooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be ascertained.
And Solomon made all the vessels that {were for} the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables on which the show-bread {was set} ;
Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, {made he of} gold, {and} that perfect gold;
And the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and the censers, {of} pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors of it for the most holy {place} , and the doors of the house of the temple, {were of} gold.
Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in {all} the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, he put among the treasures of the house of God.
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, which {is} Zion.
Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king in the feast which {was} in the seventh month.
And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark.
And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that {were} in the tabernacle, these did the priests {and} the Levites bring up.
Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled to him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy {place} , {even} under the wings of the cherubim:
For the cherubim spread forth {their} wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark, and the staffs of it above.
And they drew out the staffs {of the ark} , that the ends of the staffs were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is to this day.
{There was} nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put {in it} at Horeb, when the LORD made {a covenant} with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
And it came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy {place} : (for all the priests {that were} present were sanctified, {and} did not {then} wait by course:
Also the Levites {who were} the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren; {being} arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers {were} as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up {their} voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, {saying} , For {he is} good; for his mercy {endureth} for ever: that {then} the house was filled with a cloud, {even} the house of the LORD;
So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
But I have built a house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.
And he said, Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled {that} which he spoke with his mouth to my father David, saying,
Since the day that I brought forth my people from the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:
But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel:
But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thy heart;
Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son who shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.
The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken; for I am raised up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
And in it have I put the ark, in which {is} the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
(For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards heaven,)
And said, O LORD God of Israel, {there is} no God like thee in the heaven, nor on the earth; who keepest covenant, and {showest} mercy to thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:
Thou who hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and hast spoken with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled {it} with thy hand, as {it is} this day.
Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; provided thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken to thy servant David.
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken to the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
That thy eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place of which thou hast said, that thou wouldst put thy name there; to hearken to the prayer which thy servant prayeth towards this place.
Hearken therefore to the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make towards this place: hear thou from thy dwelling-place, {even} from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
If a man shall sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath shall come before thy altar in this house;
Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
And if thy people Israel shall be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again to the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
When the heaven is shut, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; {yet} if they pray towards this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
If there shall be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies shall besiege them in the cities of their land; whatever calamity, or whatever sickness {there be} :
{Then} whatever prayer, {or} whatever supplication shall be made by any man, or by all the people of Israel, when every one shall know his own calamity, and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest to our fathers.
Moreover concerning the stranger, who is not of thy people Israel, but hath come from a distant country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy out-stretched arm; if they come and pray in this house;
Then hear thou from the heavens, {even} from thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as {do} thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray to thee towards this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
If they sin against thee, (for {there is} no man who sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before {their} enemies, and they carry them away captives to a land far off or near;
Yet {if} they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray to thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray towards their land which thou gavest to their fathers, and {towards} the city which thou hast chosen, and towards the house which I have built for thy name:
Then hear thou from the heavens, {even} from thy dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee.
Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thy eyes be open, and {let} thy ears {be} attentive to the prayer {that is made} in this place.
Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
O LORD God, turn not away the face of thy anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the LORD, {saying} , For {he is} good; for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy {endureth} for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that {was} before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat.
Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath to the river of Egypt.
And on the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.
Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive to the prayer {that is made} in this place.
For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.
And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
Then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man {to be} ruler in Israel.
But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it {to be} a proverb and a by-word among all nations.
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus to this land, and to this house?
And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshiped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.
And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,
That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it.
And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.
Also he built Beth-horon the upper, and Beth-horon the nether, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
{As for} all the people {that were} left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who {were} not of Israel,
{But} of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they {were} men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.
And these {were} the chief of king Solomon's officers, {even} two hundred and fifty, that bore rule over the people.
And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh from the city of David to the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because {the places are} holy, to which the ark of the LORD hath come.
Then Solomon offered burnt-offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, {even} in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
And they departed not from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. {So} the house of the LORD was perfected.
Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.
And Huram sent to him by the hands of his servants, ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought {them} to king Solomon.
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she had come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.
And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,
And the provisions of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cup-bearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
And she said to the king, {It was} a true report which I heard in my own land of thy acts, and of thy wisdom:
Yet, I believed not their words, until I came, and my eyes had seen {it} : and behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told to me: {for} thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
Happy {are} thy men, and happy {are} these thy servants, who stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.
Blessed be the LORD thy God, who delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, {to be} king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore he made thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.
And the king made {of} the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.
And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides {that} which she had brought to the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty and six talents of gold;
Besides {that which} chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets {of} beaten gold: six hundred {shekels} of beaten gold went to one target.
And three hundred shields {made he of} beaten gold: three hundred {shekels} of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
And {there were} six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, {which were} fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting-place, and two lions standing by the stays:
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.
And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon {were of} gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon {were of} pure gold: none {were of} silver; it was {not} any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: once every three years came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
And king Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And he reigned over all the kings from the river even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees he made as the sycamore trees that {are} in the low plains in abundance.
And they brought to Solomon horses from Egypt, and from all lands.
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, {are} they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem had all Israel come to make him king.
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who {was} in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard {it} , that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
And he said to them, Come again to me after three days. And the people departed.
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye {me} to return answer to this people?
And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
And he said to them, What advice give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father put upon us?
And the young men that were brought up with him, spoke to him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spoke to thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou {it} somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say to them, My little {finger} shall be thicker than my father's loins.
For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I {will chastise you} with scorpions.
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king directed, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
And answered them after the advice 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.
So the king hearkened not to the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spoke by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
And when all Israel {saw} that the king would not hearken to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and {we have} no inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: {and} now, David, see to thy own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
But {as for} the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that {was} over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get into his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
And Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.
And when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a hundred and eighty thousand chosen {men} who were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done by me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
And Beth-zur, and Shocho, and Adullam,
And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
And Zorah, and Ajalon, and Hebron, which {are} in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities.
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of provisions, and of oil and wine.
And in every several city {he put} shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
And the priests and the Levites that {were} in all Israel resorted to him from all their borders.
For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office to the LORD:
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
And after them out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
And Rehoboam took to himself Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David for a wife, {and} Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
Who bore him children, Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; who bore him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and sixty concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and sixty daughters.)
And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, {to be} ruler among his brethren: for {he thought} to make him king.
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them provisions in abundance. And he desired many wives.
And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
And it came to pass, {that} in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,
With twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen: and the people {were} without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Cushites.
And he took the fortified cities which {pertained} to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and {to} the princes of Judah, that were assembled at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
Upon which the princes of Israel, and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD {is} righteous.
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; {therefore} I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
Instead of which, king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed {them} to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.
And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and conveyed them, and brought them again into the guard-chamber.
And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy {him} altogether: and also in Judah things went well.
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam {was} one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name {was} Naamah an Ammonitess.
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, {are} they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer, concerning genealogies? And {there were} wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also {was} Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, {even} four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, {being} mighty men of valor.
And Abijah stood upon mount Zemaraim, which {is} in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, {even} to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat the servant of Solomon the son of David, hath risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
And there are gathered to him vain men, the children of Belial, and {they} have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them.
And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye {are} a great multitude, and {there are} with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made for you priests after the manner of the nations of {other} lands? so that whoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, {the same} may be a priest of {them that are} no gods.
But as for us, the LORD {is} our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, who minister to the LORD, {are} the sons of Aaron, and the Levites {wait} upon {their} business:
And they burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt-sacrifices and sweet incense: the show-bread also {they set in order} upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with its lamps to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
And behold, God himself {is} with us for {our} captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye will not prosper.
But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambush {was} behind them.
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle {was} before and behind: and they cried to the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
And Abijah pursued Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with its towns, and Jeshanah with its towns, and Ephron with its towns.
Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.
But Abijah became mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, {are} written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
And Asa did {that which was} good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
For he took away the altars of the strange {gods} , and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves:
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
And he built fortified cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
Therefore he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about {them} walls, and towers, gates, and bars, {while} the land {is} yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought {him} , and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built, and prospered.
And Asa had an army {of men} that bore targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and eighty thousand: all these {were} mighty men of valor.
And there came out against them Zerah the Cushite, with a host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came to Mareshah.
Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathath at Mareshah.
And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, LORD, {it is} nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou {art} our God; let not man prevail against thee.
So the LORD smote the Cushites before Asa, and before Judah; and the Cushites fled.
And Asa and the people that {were} with him pursued them to Gerar: and the Cushites were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
And they smote all the cities about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they plundered all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD {is} with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Now for a long season Israel {hath been} without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
But when they in their trouble returned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.
And in those times {there was} no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations {were} upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
And nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city: for God troubled them with all adversity.
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.
And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that {was} before the porch of the LORD.
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they resorted to him out of Israel in multitudes, when they saw that the LORD his God {was} with him.
So they assembled at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
And they offered to the LORD at the same time, of the spoil {which} they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
That whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
And they swore to the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found by them: and the LORD gave them rest on all sides.
And also {concerning} Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from {being} queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped {it} , and burnt {it} at the brook Kidron.
But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
And there was no {more} war until the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
Then Asa brought silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
{There is} a league between me and thee, as {there was} between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
And Ben-hadad hearkened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard {it} , that he left off the building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber of it, with which Baasha was building, and he built with it Geba and Mizpah.
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore hath the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.
Were not the Cushites and the Lubims a numerous army, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thy hand.
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of {them} whose heart {is} perfect towards him. In this thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for {he was} in a rage with him because of this {thing} . And Asa oppressed {some} of the people the same time.
And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they {are} written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease {was} exceedingly {severe} : yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
And they buried him in his own sepulchers which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds {of spices} prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not to Baalim;
But sought to the {LORD} God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand: and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance.
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, {even} to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
And with them {he sent} Levites, {even} Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
And they taught in Judah, and {had} the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that {were} around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
Also {some} of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.
And Jehoshaphat became exceedingly great; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valor, {were} in Jerusalem.
And these {are} the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand.
And next to him {was} Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand.
And next to him {was} Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
And next to him {was} Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready prepared for the war.
These waited on the king, besides {those} whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
And after {certain} years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that {he had} with him, and persuaded him to go up {with him} to Ramoth-gilead.
And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I {am} as thou {art} , and my people as thy people; and {we will be} with thee in the war.
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to-day.
Therefore the king of Israel collected of prophets four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver {it} into the king's hand.
But Jehoshaphat said, {Is there} not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we may inquire of him?
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, {There is} yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good to me, but always evil: the same {is} Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
And the king of Israel called for one {of his} officers, and said, Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat each of them on his throne, clothed in {their} robes, and they sat in a void place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they shall be consumed.
And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the LORD will deliver {it} into the hand of the king.
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets {declare} good to the king with one consent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
And Micaiah said, {As} the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
Then he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return {therefore} every man to his house in peace.
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee {that} he would not prophesy good to me, but evil?
Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and {on} his left.
And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said to him, With what?
And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And {the LORD} said, Thou shalt entice {him} , and thou shalt also prevail: go out and do {even} so.
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to speak to thee?
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this {man} in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
And Micaiah said, If thou shalt certainly return in peace, {then} hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that {were} with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It {is} the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them {to depart} from him.
For it came to pass, that when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.
And a {certain} man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot-man, Turn thy hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
And the battle increased that day: yet the king of Israel supported {himself} in {his} chariot against the Syrians until the evening: and about the time of the sun setting he died.
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore {is} wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek God.
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers.
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who {is} with you in the judgment.
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do {it} : for {there is} no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and {of} the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
And whatever cause shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and {so} wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
And behold, Amariah the chief priest {is} over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites {shall be} officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD will be with the good.
It came to pass after this also, {that} the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them {others} besides the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side of Syria; and behold, they {are} in Hazazon-tamar, which {is} En-gedi.
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
And Judah assembled, to ask {help} of the LORD: even from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
And said, O LORD God of our fathers, {art} not thou God in heaven? and rulest thou {not} over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thy hand {is there not} power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
{Art} not thou our God, {who} didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
And they dwelt in it, and have built thee a sanctuary in it for thy name, saying,
If, {when} evil cometh upon us, {as} the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name {is} in this house,) and cry to thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldst not let Israel invade, when they came from the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
Behold, {I say} , {how} they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes {are} upon thee.
And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
Then upon Jehaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD to you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle {is} not yours, but God's.
To-morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not {need} to fight in this {battle} : set yourselves, stand ye {still} , and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to-morrow go out against them: for the LORD {will be} with you.
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with {his} face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy {them} : and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
And when Judah came towards the watch-tower in the wilderness, they looked to the multitude, and behold, they {were} dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering the spoil, it was so much.
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place hath been called, The valley of Berachah, to this day.
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the front of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets to the house of the LORD.
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of {those} countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest on all sides.
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: {he was} thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD.
But the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts to the God of their fathers.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they {are} written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who {is} mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
And after this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, Shephatiah: all these {were} the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram; because he {was} the first-born.
Now when Jehoram had risen to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and {divers} also of the princes of Israel.
Jehoram {was} thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab for a wife: and he wrought {that which was} evil in the eyes of the LORD.
Yet the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites who encompassed him, and the captains of the chariots.
So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. The same time {also} did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah to {do the same} .
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit idolatry, like the idolatries of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, {who were} better than thyself:
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
And thou {shalt have} great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
Moreover, the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that {were} near the Cushites.
And they came up into Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was not a son left to him, save Jehoahaz the youngest of his sons.
And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of severe diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem, eight years, and departed without being desired: yet they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchers of the kings.
And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
Forty and two years old {was} Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also {was} Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.
Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counselors, after the death of his father, to his destruction.
He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.
And the destruction of Ahaziah was from God by coming to Joram: for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
And it came to pass, that when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he {is} the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to retain the kingdom.
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose, and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bed chamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
This {is} the thing that ye shall do: A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests, and of the Levites, {shall be} porters of the doors;
And a third part {shall be} at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people {shall be} in the courts of the house of the LORD.
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they {are} holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.
And the Levites shall encompass the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever {else} cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go {out} on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
Moreover, Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds, spears, and bucklers, and shields, that {had been} king David's, which {were} in the house of God.
And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king on all sides.
Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and {gave him} the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
And she looked, and behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entrance, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of music, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, treason.
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said to them, Have her forth without the ranges: and whoever followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.
So they laid hands on her; and when she had come to the entrance of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.
Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt-offerings of the LORD, as {it is} written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, {as it was ordained} by David.
And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none {who was} unclean in any thing should enter.
And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
Joash {was} seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also {was} Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
And Joash did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
And it came to pass after this, {that} Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.
And he convened the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. But the Levites hastened {it} not.
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, {according to the commandment} of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
For the sons of Athaliah that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD they bestowed upon Baalim.
And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection {that} Moses the servant of God {laid} upon Israel in the wilderness.
And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
Now it came to pass, that at the time the chest was brought to the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that {there was} much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and collected money in abundance.
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.
So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in its state, and strengthened it.
And when they had finished {it} , they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, of which were made vessels for the house of the LORD, {even} vessels to minister, and to offer {with} , and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
But Jehoiada grew old, and was full of days when he died; a hundred and thirty years old {was} he when he died.
And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both towards God, and towards his house.
Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened to them.
And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon {it} , and require {it} .
And it came to pass at the end of the year, {that} the army of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus.
For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
And when they had departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchers of the kings.
And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.
Now {concerning} his sons, and the greatness of the burdens {laid} upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they {are} written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
Amaziah {was} twenty and five years old {when} he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
But he slew not their children, but {did} as {it is} written in the law of the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
Moreover, Amaziah assembled Judah, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of {their} fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice {men} , {able} to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver.
But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD {is} not with Israel, {to wit} , {with} all the children of Ephraim.
But if thou wilt go, do {it} , be strong for the battle: God will make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.
Then Amaziah separated them, {to wit} , the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
And {other} ten thousand {left} alive the children of Judah carried away captive, and brought them to the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they were all broken in pieces.
But the soldiers of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up {to be} his gods, and bowed himself before them, and burned incense to them.
Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thy hand?
And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that {the king} said to him, Art thou made of the king's council? forbear? why shouldst thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbore, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened to my counsel.
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that {was} in Lebanon sent to the cedar that {was} in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son for a wife: and there passed by a wild beast that {was} in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thy heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldst thou meddle to {thy} hurt, that thou shouldst fall, {even} thou, and Judah with thee?
But Amaziah would not hear; for it {came} from God, that he might deliver them into the hand {of their enemies} , because they sought after the gods of Edom.
So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, {both} he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which {belongeth} to Judah.
And Judah was defeated before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.
And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
And {he took} all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, lived after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, fifteen years.
Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, {are} they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
Now after the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.
And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who {was} sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers.
Sixteen years old {was} Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also {was} Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and, as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims.
And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad {even} to the entrance of Egypt: for he strengthened {himself} exceedingly.
Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning {of the wall} , and fortified them.
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had many cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen {also} , and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
Moreover, Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war, by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, {one} of the king's captains.
The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valor {were} two thousand and six hundred.
And under their hand {was} an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the army, shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings {to cast} stones.
And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was helped in a wonderful manner, till he was strong.
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to {his} destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him eighty priests of the LORD, {that were} valiant men:
And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said to him, {It appertaineth} not to thee, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither {will it be} for thy honor from the LORD God.
Then Uzziah was wroth, and {had} a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests looked upon him, and behold, he {was} leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
And Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house, {being} a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son {was} over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, were written by Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amos.
So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which {belonged} to the kings; for they said, He {is} a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
Jotham {was} twenty and five years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also {was} Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: yet, he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
Moreover, he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay to him, both the second year, and the third.
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, see, they {are} written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
Ahaz {was} twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
Moreover, he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought {them} to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, {who were} all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah {that was} next to the king.
And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and also took away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name {was} Oded: and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage {that} reacheth to heaven.
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bond-men and bond-women to you: {but are there} not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD {is} upon you.
Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war.
And said to them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD {already} , ye intend to add {more} to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass {is} great, and {there is} fierce wrath against Israel.
So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.
And the men who were expressed by name arose, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
At that time king Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him.
For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.
The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with its villages, and Timnah with its villages, Gimzo also and its villages: and they dwelt there.
For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel: for he made Judah naked, and greatly transgressed against the LORD.
And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came to him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
For Ahaz took away a portion from the house of the LORD, and from the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave {it} to the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.
And in the time of his distress he trespassed yet more against the LORD: this {is that} king Ahaz.
For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, {therefore} will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
And Ahaz collected the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.
Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they {are} written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, {even} in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchers of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
Hezekiah began to reign {when he was} five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
He, in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and assembled them in the east street,
And said to them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy {place} .
For our fathers have trespassed, and done {that which was} evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned {their} backs.
Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt-offerings in the holy {place} to the God of Israel.
Wherefore the wrath of the LORD hath been upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
For lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives {are} in captivity for this.
Now {it is} in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister to him, and burn incense.
Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
And they assembled their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse {it} , and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took {it} , to carry {it} out abroad into the brook Kidron.
Now they began on the first {day} of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt-offering, with all its vessels, and the show-bread table, with all its vessels.
Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and behold, they {are} before the altar of the LORD.
Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and convened the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.
And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he-goats, for a sin-offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer {them} on the altar of the LORD.
So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled {it} on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
And they brought forth the he-goats {for} the sin-offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded {that} the burnt-offering and the sin-offering {should be made} for all Israel.
And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for {so was} the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar. And when the burnt-offering began, the song of the LORD began {also} with the trumpets, and with the instruments {ordained} by David king of Israel.
And all the congregation worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: {and} all {this continued} until the burnt-offering was finished.
And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshiped.
Moreover, Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD, with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.
Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and, as many as were of a free heart, burnt-offerings.
And the number of the burnt-offerings, which the congregation brought, was seventy bullocks, a hundred rams: {and} two hundred lambs: all these {were} for a burnt-offering to the LORD.
And the consecrated things {were} six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites helped them, till the work was ended, and until the {other} priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites {were} more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
And also the burnt-offerings {were} in abundance, with the fat of the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings for {every} burnt-offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was {done} suddenly.
And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover to the LORD God of Israel.
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people assembled themselves at Jerusalem.
And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover to the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done {it} of a long {time in the manner} as it was written.
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you that have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, who trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, {who} therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers {were} , {but} yield yourselves to the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
For if ye turn again to the LORD, your brethren and your children {will find} compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they will return into this land: for the LORD your God {is} gracious and merciful, and will not turn away {his} face from you, if ye return to him.
So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even to Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.
Nevertheless, divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
And there assembled at Jerusalem many people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
And they arose and took away the altars that {were} in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense they took away, and cast {them} into the brook Kidron.
Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth {day} of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt-offerings into the house of the LORD.
And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, {which they received} from the hand of the Levites.
For {there were} many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one {that was} not clean, to sanctify {them} to the LORD.
For a multitude of the people, {even} many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one,
{That} prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though {he is} not {cleansed} according to the purification of the sanctuary.
And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
And the children of Israel {that were} present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, {singing} with loud instruments to the LORD.
And Hezekiah spoke comfortably to all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they ate throughout the feast seven days, offering peace-offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept {other} seven days with gladness.
For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came from the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel {there was} not the like in Jerusalem.
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer ascended to his holy dwelling-place, {even} to heaven.
Now when all this was finished, all Israel {that were} present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned every man to his possession into their own cities.
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
{He appointed} also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings, {to wit} , for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, and the burnt-offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new-moons, and for the set feasts, as {it is} written in the law of the LORD.
Moreover, he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all {things} they brought in abundantly.
And the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid {them} by heaps.
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished {them} in the seventh month.
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since {the people} began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left {is} this great abundance.
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared {them} ,
And brought in the offerings and the tithes, and the dedicated {things} faithfully: over which Conaniah the Levite {was} ruler, and Shimei his brother {was} the next.
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, {were} overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter towards the east, {was} over the free-will-offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
And next him {were} Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in {their} set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
Besides their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, {even} to every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges, by their courses;
And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, {who were} in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and performed {that which was} good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did {it} with all his heart, and prospered.
After {these} things, and their establishment, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.
And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that he purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which {were} without the city: and they helped him.
So there were assembled many people, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised {it} up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo {in} the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
And he set captains of war over the people, and assembled them to him in the street of the gate of the city, and encouraged them, saying,
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that {is} with him: for {there are} more with us than with him:
With him {is} an arm of flesh; but with us {is} the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
After this Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem, (but he {himself laid siege} against Lachish, and all his power with him,) to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah that {were} at Jerusalem, saying,
Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, On what do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
Know ye not what I and my fathers have done to all the people of {other} lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of my hand?
Who {was there} among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?
Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you in this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom hath been able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand?
And his servants spoke yet {more} against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
He wrote also letters to rail at the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of {other} lands have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand.
Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech to the people of Jerusalem that {were} on the wall, to affright them, and to fill them with consternation; that they might take the city.
And they spoke against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, the work of the hands of man.
And for this {cause} Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he had come into the house of his god, they that came forth from his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all {others} , and guided them on every side.
And many brought gifts to the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that from thenceforth he was magnified in the sight of all nations.
In those days Hezekiah was sick and near to death, and {he} prayed to the LORD: and he spoke to him, and he gave him a sign.
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit {done} to him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, {both} he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels:
Store-houses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
Moreover, he provided for himself cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance in great abundance.
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
But, in {the business of} the embassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was {done} in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all {that was} in his heart.
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they {are} written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, {and} in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chief of the sepulchers of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Manasseh {was} twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
But did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, like the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers; provided they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, {and} to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
And the LORD spoke to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
And prayed to him: and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he {is} God.
Now after this, he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish-gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great highth, and put captains of war in all the fortified cities of Judah.
And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast {them} out of the city.
And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed on it peace-offerings and thank-offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.
Nevertheless, the people sacrificed still in the high places, {yet} to the LORD their God only.
Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they {are written} in the book of the kings of Israel.
His prayer also, and {how God} was entreated by him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they {are} written among the sayings of the seers.
So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
Amon {was} two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.
But he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed to all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.
And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.
But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
Josiah {was} eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
And he did {that which was} right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined {neither} to the right hand, nor to the left.
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
And they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that {were} on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust {of them} and strewed {it} upon the graves of them that had sacrificed to them.
And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
And {so did he} in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even to Naphtali, with their mattocks around.
And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.
And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had collected from the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and from all the remnant of Israel, and from all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
And they put {it} in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and mend the house:
Even to the artificers and builders they gave {it} , to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them {were} Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to superintend {it} ; and {others of} the Levites, all that had skill in instruments of music.
Also {they were} over the bearers of burdens, and {were} overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites {there were} scribes, and officers, and porters.
And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the LORD {given} by Moses.
And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they perform.
And they have collected the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,
Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel, and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great {is} the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.
And Hilkiah, and {they} that the king {had appointed} , went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spoke to her to that {effect} .
And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me.
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon its inhabitants, {even} all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, so shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel {concerning} the words which thou hast heard;
Because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou didst hear his words against this place, and against its inhabitants, and didst humble thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard {thee} also, saith the LORD.
Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thy eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
Then the king sent and convened all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
And the king went into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah 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 was found in the house of the LORD.
And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin, to stand {to it} . And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that {pertained} to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel, to serve, {even} to serve the LORD their God. {And} all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Moreover, Josiah kept a passover to the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth {day} of the first month.
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,
And said to the Levites that taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; {it shall} not {be} a burden upon {your} shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
And prepare {yourselves} by the houses of your fathers after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
And stand in the holy {place} according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and {after} the division of the families of the Levites.
So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that {they} may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover-offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these {were} of the king's substance.
And his princes gave willingly to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the passover-offerings two thousand and six hundred {small cattle} , and three hundred oxen.
Conaniah also, and Shemaiah, and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jehiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave to the Levites for passover-offerings five thousand {small cattle} , and five hundred oxen.
So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled {the blood} from their hands, and the Levites flayed {them} .
And they removed the burnt-offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer to the LORD, as {it is} written in the book of Moses. And so {did they} with the oxen.
And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the {other} holy {offerings} they boiled in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided {them} speedily among all the people.
And afterwards they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron {were busied} in offering burnt-offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
And the singers the sons of Asaph {were} in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters {waited} at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt-offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah.
And the children of Israel {that were} present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
And there was no passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
But he sent embassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? {I come} not against thee this day, but against the house with which I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from {meddling with} God, who {is} with me, that he may not destroy thee.
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself that he might fight with him, and hearkened not to the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am severely wounded.
His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in {one of} the sepulchers of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women have spoken of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and behold, they {are} written in the lamentations.
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to {that which was} written in the law of the LORD,
And his deeds, first and last, behold, they {are} written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.
Jehoahaz {was} twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
And the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in a hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
Jehoiakim {was} twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD his God.
Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they {are} written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
Jehoiachin {was} eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD.
And when the year had expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
Zedekiah {was} one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
And he did {that which was} evil in the sight of the LORD his God, {and} humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet {speaking} from the mouth of the LORD.
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning to the LORD God of Israel.
Moreover, all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place:
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till {there was} no remedy.
Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave {them} all into his hand.
And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all {these} he brought to Babylon.
And they burnt the house of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its goodly vessels.
And them that had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia.
To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: {for} as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD {spoken} by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and {put it} also in writing, saying,
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which {is} in Judah. Who {is there} among you of all his people? The LORD his God {be} with him, and let him go up.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and {put it} also in writing, saying,
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which {is} in Judah.
Who {is there} among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which {is} in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he {is} the God,) who {is} in Jerusalem.
And whoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the free-will-offering for the house of God that {is} in Jerusalem.
Then arose the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all {them} whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which {is} in Jerusalem.
And all they that {were} about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all {that} was willingly offered.
Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought from Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
And this {is} the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second {sort} four hundred and ten, {and} other vessels a thousand.
All the vessels of gold and of silver {were} five thousand and four hundred. All {these} did Sheshbazzar bring with {them of} the captivity that were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Now these {are} the children of the province that went up from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and came again to Jerusalem and Judah, every one to his city;
Who came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.
The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua {and} Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty.
The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.
The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.
The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, {in} all a hundred thirty and nine.
The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, {were} three hundred ninety and two.
And these {were} they who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, {and} Immer: but they could not show their fathers' house, and their seed, whether they {were} of Israel:
The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai: who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
These sought their register {among} those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
The whole congregation together {was} forty and two thousand three hundred {and} sixty,
Besides their servants and their maids, of whom {there were} seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and {there were} among them two hundred singing-men and singing-women.
Their horses {were} seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; {their} asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
And {some} of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which {is} at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in its place:
They gave after their ability to the treasure of the work sixty and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests garments.
So the priests, and the Levites, and {some} of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel {were} in the cities, the people assembled themselves as one man at Jerusalem.
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings on it as {it is} written in the law of Moses the man of God.
And they set the altar upon its bases; for fear {was} upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt-offerings on it to the LORD, {even} burnt-offerings morning and evening.
They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as {it is} written, and {offered} the daily burnt-offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
And afterward {offered} the continual burnt-offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a free-will-offering to the LORD.
From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt-offerings to the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not {yet} laid.
They gave money also to the masons, and to the carpenters; and provisions, and drink, and oil, to them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Then stood Jeshua {with} his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, {with} their sons and their brethren the Levites.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks to the LORD; because {he is} good, for his mercy {endureth} for ever towards Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, old men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of the joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building the temple to the LORD God of Israel;
Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said to them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye {do} ; and we do sacrifice to him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, who brought us up hither.
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said to them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build a house to our God; but we ourselves together will build to the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
And hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote {to him} an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter {was} written in the Syrian language, and interpreted in the Syrian language.
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
Then {wrote} Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dianites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, {and} the Elamites,
And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest {that are} on this side of the river, and at such a time.
This {is} the copy of the letter that they sent to him, {even} to Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men on this side of the river, and at such a time.
Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came from thee to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the noxious city, and have set up its walls, and joined the foundations.
Be it known now to the king, that, if this city shall be built, and the walls set up {again} , {then} they will not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and {so} thou wilt endamage the revenue of the kings.
Now because we have maintenance from {the king's} palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so wilt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city {is} a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
We certify the king that, if this city shall be built {again} , and its walls set up, by this means thou wilt have no portion on this side of the river.
{Then} the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and {to} Shimshai the scribe, and {to} the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and {to} the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
The letter which ye sent to us hath been plainly read before me.
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and {that} rebellion and sedition have been made in it.
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all {countries} beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid to them.
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until {another} commandment shall be given from me.
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter {was} read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
Then ceased the work of the house of God which {is} at Jerusalem. So it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews that {were} in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, {even} to them.
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which {is} at Jerusalem: and with them {were} the prophets of God helping them.
At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side of the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
Then said we to them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this {matter} .
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side of the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who {were} on this side of the river, sent to Darius the king:
They sent a letter to him, in which was written thus; To Darius the king, all peace.
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work proceedeth rapidly, and prospereth in their hands.
Then we asked those elders, {and} said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to erect these walls?
We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that {were} the chief of them.
And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was erected these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and set up.
But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, {the same} king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that {was} in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to {one} , whose name {was} Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
And said to him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that {is} in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, {and} laid the foundation of the house of God which {is} in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and {yet} it is not finished.
Now therefore, if it {seemeth} good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure-house, which {is} there at Babylon, whether it is {so} , that a decree was made by Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that {is} in the province of the Medes, a roll, and in it {was} a record thus written:
In the first year of Cyrus the king, {the same} Cyrus the king made a decree {concerning} the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations of it be strongly laid; the hight of it sixty cubits, {and} the breadth of it sixty cubits;
{With} three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:
And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which {is} at Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be restored, and brought again to the temple which {is} at Jerusalem, {every one} to its place, and place {them} in the house of God.
Now {therefore} , Tatnai governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who {are} beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews, and the elders of the Jews, build this house of God in its place.
Moreover, I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, {even} of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given to these men, that they be not hindered.
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt-offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests who {are} at Jerusalem, let it be given to them day by day without fail:
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged upon it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall attempt to alter and to destroy this house of God which {is} at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
Then Tatnai governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, and finished {it} , according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
And offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, who {is} at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth {day} of the first month.
For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them {were} pure, and {they} killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
And the children of Israel, who had returned from captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
This Ezra went from Babylon; and he {was} a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And there went {some} of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which {was} in the seventh year of the king.
For upon the first {day} of the first month he began to go from Babylon, and on the first {day} of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do {it} , and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Now this {is} the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, {even} a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect {peace} , and at such a time.
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and {of} his priests and Levites, in my realm, who are disposed of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.
Forasmuch as thou art sent by the king, and by his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which {is} in thy hand;
And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation {is} in Jerusalem,
And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the free-will-offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which {is} in Jerusalem:
That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat-offerings and their drink-offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which {is} in Jerusalem.
And whatever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and gold, that do after the will of your God.
The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, {those} deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
And whatever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow {it} out of the king's treasure-house.
And I, {even} I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who {are} beyond the river, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
To a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing {how much} .
Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Also we certify you, that concerning any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom upon them.
And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that {is} in thy hand, set magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people that {are} beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know {them} not.
And whoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether {it be} to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Blessed {be} the LORD God of our fathers, who hath put {such a thing} as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which {is} in Jerusalem:
And hath extended mercy to me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God {was} upon me, and I assembled out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
These {are} now the chief of their fathers, and {this is} the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.
Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty.
Of the sons of Pahath-moab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him eighty males.
Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him a hundred and sixty males.
And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him a hundred and ten males.
And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names {are} these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them sixty males.
Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
And I assembled them at the river that runneth to Ahava; and there we abode in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
And I sent them with commandment to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo, {and} to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.
And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God {is} upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath {is} against all them that forsake him.
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated by us.
Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
And weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, {even} the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counselors, and his lords, and all Israel {there} present, had offered:
I even weighed to their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents, {and} of gold a hundred talents;
Also twenty basins of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
And I said to them, Ye {are} holy to the LORD; the vessels {are} holy also; and the silver and the gold {are} a free-will-offering to the LORD God of your fathers.
Watch ye, and keep {them} , until ye weigh {them} , before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.
So the priests and the Levites took the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring {them} to Jerusalem to the house of our God.
Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth {day} of the first month, to go to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him {was} Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them {was} Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
By number {and} by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
{Also} the children of those that had been carried away, who had come out of the captivity, offered burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he-goats {for} a sin-offering: all {this was} a burnt-offering to the LORD.
And they delivered the king's commissions to the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side of the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, {doing} according to their abominations, {even} of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of {those} lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded.
Then were assembled to me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat confounded until the evening sacrifice.
And at the evening sacrifice I arose from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over {our} head, and our trespass is grown up to the heavens.
Since the days of our fathers {have} we {been} in a great trespass to this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, {and} our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as {it is} this day.
And now for a little space grace hath been {shown} from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
For we {were} bond-men; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations of it, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, to which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
Now therefore give not your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave {it} for an inheritance to your children for ever.
And after all that hath come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities {deserve} , and hast given us {such} deliverance as this;
Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldst thou not be angry with us till thou hadst consumed {us} , so that {there should be} no remnant nor escaping?
O LORD God of Israel, thou {art} righteous: for we having escaped, remain yet, as {it is} this day: behold, we {are} before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very bitterly.
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, {one} of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken foreign wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
Arise; for {this} matter {belongeth} to thee: we also {will be} with thee: be of good courage, and do {it} .
Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. And they swore.
Then Ezra arose from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and {when} he came thither, he ate no bread, nor drank water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should assemble at Jerusalem;
And that whoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within three days. It {was} the ninth month, and the twentieth {day} of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of {this} matter, and for the great rain.
And Ezra the priest stood up, and said to them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken foreign wives to increase the trespass of Israel.
Now therefore make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the foreign wives.
Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
But the people {are} many, and {it is} a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand abroad, neither {is this} a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them who have taken foreign wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and its judges, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter shall be turned from us.
Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this {matter} : and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, {with} certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by {their} names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
And they made an end with all the men that had taken foreign wives by the first day of the first month.
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken foreign wives: {namely} , of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and {being} guilty, {they offered} a ram of the flock for their trespass.
And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.
And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah (the same {is} Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
Moreover, of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, {and} Athlai.
And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
And of the sons of Pahath-moab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
And {of} the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
Benjamin, Malluch, {and} Shemariah.
Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, {and} Shimei.
Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,
And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,
Shallum, Amariah, {and} Joseph.
Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
All these had taken foreign wives: and {some} of them had wives by whom they had children.
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and {certain} men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
And they said to me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province {are} in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also {is} broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned {certain} days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
Let thy ear now be attentive, and thy eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, {If} ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
But {if} ye turn to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you driven to the uttermost part of the heaven, {yet} will I gather them from thence, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
Now these {are} thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thy ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cup-bearer.
And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, {that} wine {was} before him: and I took up the wine, and gave {it} to the king. Now I had not {before} been sad in his presence.
Wherefore the king said to me, Why {is} thy countenance sad, seeing thou {art} not sick? this {is} nothing but sorrow of heart. Then I was very greatly afraid,
And said to the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, {lieth} waste, and its gates are consumed with fire?
Then the king said to me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
And I said to the king, If it should please the king, and if thy servant hath found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it.
And the king said to me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
Moreover, I said to the king, If it should please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah:
And a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which {appertained} to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard {of it} , it grieved them exceedingly that there had come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I {any} man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither {was there any} beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon-well, and to the dung-port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and their gates were consumed with fire.
Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but {there was} no place for the beast {that was} under me to pass.
Then I went up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and {so} returned.
And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told {it} to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
Then said I to them, Ye see the distress that we {are} in, how Jerusalem {lieth} waste, and its gates are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may be no more a reproach.
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise and build. So they strengthened their hands for {this} good {work} .
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard {it} , they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What {is} this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
Then I answered them, and said to them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep-gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananeel.
And next to him built the men of Jericho. And next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.
But the fish-gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who {also} laid its beams, and set up its doors, its locks and its bars.
And next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
And next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD.
Moreover, the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its locks, and its bars.
And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, to the throne of the governor on this side of the river.
Next to him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next to him also repaired Hananiah the son of {one of} the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem to the broad wall.
And next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
And next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
And next to him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
The valley-gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars, and a thousand cubits on the wall to the dung-gate.
But the dung-gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he built it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars.
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and to the stairs that go down from the city of David.
After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, to {the place} over against the sepulchers of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty.
After him repaired the Levites Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him repaired Hashabiah the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the ascent to the armory, at the turning {of the wall} .
After him Baruch the son of Zabbai, earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning {of the wall} to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib, even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub, over against their house. After him repaired Azariah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, by his house.
After him repaired Binnui, the son of Henadad, another piece, from the house of Azariah to the turning {of the wall} , even to the corner.
Palal, the son of Uzai, over against the turning {of the wall} , and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that {was} by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah, the son of Parosh.
Moreover, the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, to {the place} over against the water-gate towards the east, and the projecting tower.
After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great projecting tower, even to the wall of Ophel.
From above the horse-gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son, to the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the ascent of the corner.
And between the ascent of the corner to the sheep-gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
And he spoke before his brethren, and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Now Tobiah the Ammonite {was} by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox should go up, he would even break down their stone wall.
Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked {thee} to anger before the builders.
So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half of it, for the people had a mind to work.
But it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were set up, {and} that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
And conspired all of them together to come {and} to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and {there is} much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
And it came to pass, that when the Jews who dwelt by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return to us {they will be upon you} .
Therefore I set in the lower places behind the wall, {and} on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
And I looked, and arose, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be ye not afraid of them: remember the LORD {who is} great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to naught, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one to his work.
And it came to pass, from that time forth, {that} the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers {were} behind all the house of Judah.
They who built on the wall, and they that bore burdens, with those that laded, {every one} with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other {hand} held a weapon.
For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and {so} built. And he that sounded the trumpet {was} by me.
And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work {is} great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
In what place {therefore} ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither to us: our God will fight for us.
So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
Likewise at the same time said I to the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labor in the day.
So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, {saving that} every one put them off for washing.
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, {are} many: therefore we take up corn {for them} , that we may eat, and live.
{Some} also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, {and that upon} our lands and vineyards.
Yet now our flesh {is} as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and {some} of our daughters are brought to bondage {already} : neither {is it} in our power {to redeem them} ; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, Ye exact interest, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold to the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold to us? Then they held their peace, and found nothing {to answer} .
Also I said, That {is} not good which ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
I likewise, my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive-yards, and their houses, also the hundredth {part} of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
Then said they, We will restore {them} , and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, {that is} , twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
But the former governors, that {had been} before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants {were} gathered thither to the work.
Moreover, {there were} at my table a hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, besides those that came to us from among the heathen that {were} about us.
Now {that} which was prepared {for me} daily {was} one ox {and} six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days an abundance of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I required not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
Think upon me, my God, for good, {according} to all that I have done for this people.
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and {that} there was no breach left in it, (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in {some one of} the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
And I sent messengers to them, saying, I {am} doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Yet they sent to me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
In which {was} written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith {it} , {that} thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, {There is} a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Then I sent to him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thy own heart.
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it may not be done. Now therefore, {O God} , strengthen my hands.
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who {was} shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who {is there} , that, {being} as I {am} , would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
And lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Therefore {was} he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and {that} they might have {matter} for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth {day} of {the month} Elul, in fifty and two days.
And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard {of it} , and all the heathen that {were} about us saw {these things} , they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought by our God.
Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and {the letters} of Tobiah came to them.
For {there were} many in Judah sworn to him, because he {was} the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. {And} Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Now 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,
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he {was} a faithful man, and feared God above many.
And I said to them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun shall be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar {them} : and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one {to be} over against his house.
Now the city {was} large and great: but the people in it {were} few, and the houses {were} not built.
And my God put into my heart to assemble the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them who came up at the first, and found written in it,
These {are} the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one to his city;
Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, {I say} , of the men of the people of Israel {was this} ;
The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred and seventy two.
The children of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy two.
The children of Arah, six hundred and fifty two.
The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred {and} eighteen.
The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred and fifty four.
The children of Zattu, eight hundred and forty five.
The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty.
The children of Binnui, six hundred and forty eight.
The children of Bebai, six hundred and twenty eight.
The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty two.
The children of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty seven.
The children of Bigvai, two thousand and sixty seven.
The children of Adin, six hundred and fifty five.
The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety eight.
The children of Hashum, three hundred and twenty eight.
The children of Bezai, three hundred and twenty four.
The children of Hariph, a hundred and twelve.
The children of Gibeon, ninety five.
The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, a hundred and eighty eight.
The men of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty eight.
The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty two.
The men of Kirjath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty three.
The men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred and twenty one.
The men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty two.
The men of Beth-el and Ai, a hundred and twenty three.
The men of the other Nebo, fifty two.
The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred and fifty four.
The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
The children of Jericho, three hundred and forty five.
The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty one.
The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy three.
The children of Immer, a thousand and fifty two.
The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred and forty seven.
The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, {and} of the children of Hodevah, seventy four.
The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and forty eight.
The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, a hundred and thirty eight.
The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,
The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,
The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,
The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.
All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, {were} three hundred and ninety two.
And these {were} they who went up {also} from Tel-mela, Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not show their fathers house, nor their seed, whether they {were} of Israel.
The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred and forty two.
And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, who took {one} of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite for a wife, and was called after their name.
These sought their register {among} those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there should stand {up} a priest with Urim and Thummim.
The whole congregation together {was} forty two thousand three hundred and sixty.
Besides their man-servants and their maid-servants, of whom {there were} seven thousand three hundred and thirty seven: and they had two hundred and forty five singing-men and singing-women.
Their horses, seven hundred and thirty six: their mules, two hundred and forty five:
{Their} camels, four hundred and thirty five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.
And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
And {some} of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work, twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pounds of silver.
And {that} which the rest of the people gave {was} twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and sixty seven priests' garments.
So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and {some} of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel {were} in their cities.
And all the people assembled as one man in the street that {was} before the water-gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
And he read therein before the street that {was} before the water-gate from the morning until mid-day, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people {were attentive} to the book of the law.
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, {and} Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with {their} faces to the ground.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people {stood} in their place.
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused {them} to understand the reading.
And Nehemiah, who {is} the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest, the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said to all the people, This day {is} holy to the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for {this} day {is} holy to our LORD: neither be ye sad; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day {is} holy; neither be ye grieved.
And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
And on the second day were assembled the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as {it is} written.
So the people went forth, and brought {them} , and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water-gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
And all the congregation of them that had returned from the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day, had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day {was} a solemn assembly, according to the manner.
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God {one} fourth part of the day; and {another} fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God.
Then stood upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, {and} Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, {and} Pethahiah, said, Stand up {and} bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Thou, {even} thou, {art} LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all {things} that {are} in it, the seas, and all that {is} in them, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshipeth thee.
Thou {art} the LORD the God, who chosest Abram, and broughtest him forth from Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him, to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give {it} , {I say} , to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou {art} righteous:
And thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as {it is} this day.
And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
Moreover, thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way in which they should go.
Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spokest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
And madest known to them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst perform among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou {art} a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This {is} thy God that brought thee out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go.
Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, {so that} they lacked nothing; their clothes grew not old, and their feet swelled not.
Moreover, thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess {it} .
So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards and olive-yards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they ate and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
Nevertheless, they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets who testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who distressed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to thee, thou hearedest {them} from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them deliverers, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore thou leftest them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned and cried to thee, thou hearedest {them} from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again to thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not to thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man doeth, he shall live in them:) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Yet many years didst thou forbear over them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore thou gavest them into the hand of the people of the lands.
Nevertheless, for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou {art} a gracious and merciful God.
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.
But thou {art} just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened to thy commandments and thy testimonies, with which thou didst testify against them.
For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
Behold, we {are} servants this day, and {for} the land that thou gavest to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good of it, behold, we {are} servants in it:
And it yieldeth much increase to the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we {are} in great distress.
And because of all this we make a sure {covenant} , and write {it} ; and our princes, Levites, {and} priests, set their seals {to it} .
Now those that sealed {were} , Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these {were} the priests.
And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
Hodijah, Bani, Beninu,
The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
They united with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our LORD, and his judgments and his statutes;
And that we would not give our daughters to the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
And {if} the people of the land should bring wares or any provisions on the sabbath day to sell, {that} we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and {that} we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
For the show-bread, and for the continual meat-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy {things} , and for the sin-offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and {for} all the work of the house of our God.
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring {it} into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as {it is} written in the law:
And to bring the first-fruits of our ground, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the LORD:
Also the first-born of our sons, and of our cattle, as {it is} written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, to the priests that minister in the house of our God:
And {that} we should bring the first-fruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, to the chambers, where {are} the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts {to dwell} in {other} cities.
And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
Now these {are} the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, {to wit} , Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
And at Jerusalem dwelt {certain} of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem {were} four hundred sixty and eight valiant men.
And these {are} the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.
And after him, Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
And Joel the son of Zichri {was} their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah {was} second over the city.
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, {was} the ruler of the house of God.
And their brethren that performed the work of the house {were} eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
And their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer {was} Zabdiel, the son of {one of} the great men.
Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, {had} the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, {was} the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
All the Levites in the holy city {were} two hundred and eighty four.
Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, {were} an hundred and seventy two.
And the residue of Israel, of the priests, {and} the Levites, {were} in all the cities of Judah every one in his inheritance.
But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa {were} over the Nethinims.
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem {was} Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers {were} over the business of the house of God.
For {it was} the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah {was} at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
And for the villages, with their fields, {some} of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and {in} its villages, and at Dibon, and {in} its villages, and at Jekabzeel, and {in} its villages,
And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,
And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and {in} its villages,
And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in its villages,
And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
Zanoah, Adullam, and {in} their villages, at Lachish, and its fields, at Azekah, and {in} its villages. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.
The children also of Benjamin from Geba {dwelt} at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and {in} their villages.
{And} at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
Lod, and Ono, the valley of artificers.
And of the Levites {were} divisions {in} Judah, {and} in Benjamin.
Now these {are} the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,
Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,
Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These {were} the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.
Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, {and} Mattaniah, {who was} over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, {were} over against them in the watches.
And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.
And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;
Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, {were} recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, {were} written in the book of the chronicles, even till the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise {and} to give thanks according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, {were} porters keeping the ward at the threshholds of the gates.
These {were} in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, {with} cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
And the sons of the singers assembled, both out of the plain country around Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
Also from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had built them villages around Jerusalem.
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great {companies of them that gave} thanks, {of which one} went on the right hand upon the wall towards the dung-gate:
And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,
And {certain} of the priests' sons with trumpets; {namely} , Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:
And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
And at the fountain-gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even to the water-gate eastward.
And the other {company of them that gave} thanks went over against {them} , and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even to the broad wall;
And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish-gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even to the sheep-gate: and they stood still in the prison-gate.
So stood the two {companies of them that gave} thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, {and} Hananiah, with trumpets;
And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah {their} overseer.
Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the first-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, {and} of Solomon his son.
For in the days of David, and Asaph of old {there were} chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified {holy things} to the Levites; and the Levites sanctified {them} to the children of Aaron.
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever:
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Baalam against them, that he should curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, {was} allied to Tobiah:
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly they laid the meat-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded {to be given} to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
But in all this {time} I was not at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I came to the king, and after certain days I obtained leave of the king:
And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
And it grieved me greatly: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither I brought again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat-offering and the frankincense.
And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given {them} : for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, had fled every one to his field.
Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? and I assembled them, and set them in their place.
Then all Judah brought the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them {was} Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were accounted faithful; and their office {was} to distribute to their brethren.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its offices.
In those days I saw in Judah {some} treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all {manner of} burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified {against them} in the day in which they sold provisions.
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing {is} this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
And it came to pass, that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and I set {some} of my servants at the gates, {that} there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do {so} again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came no {more} on the sabbath.
And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and {that} they should come {and} keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, {concerning} this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
In those days also I saw Jews {that} had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, {and} of Moab:
And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews language, but according to the language of each people.
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, {saying} , Ye shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons, or for yourselves.
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
Shall we then hearken to you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying foreign wives?
And {one} of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, {was} son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.
Thus I cleansed them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
And for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this {is} Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Cush, {over} a hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
{That} in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which {was} in Shushan the palace,
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, {being} before him:
When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, {even} a hundred and eighty days.
And when these days had expired, the king made a feast for all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both for great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
{Where were} white, green, and blue {hangings} , fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds {were of} gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black marble.
And they gave {them} drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
And the drinking {was} according to the law; none constrained: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women {in} the royal house which {belonged} to king Ahasuerus.
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she {was} fair to look on.
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by {his} chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so {was} the king's manner towards all that knew law and judgment:
And the next to him {was} Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, {and} Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, {and} who sat the first in the kingdom;)
What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that {are} in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
For {this} deed of the queen will come abroad to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
{Likewise} will the ladies of Persia and Media say this day to all the king's princes, who have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus {will there arise} too much contempt and wrath.
If it pleaseth the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another that is better than she.
And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing of it, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that {it} should be published according to the language of every people.
After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
Then said the king's servants that ministered to him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may collect all the fair young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, into the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given {them} :
And let the maiden who pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
{Now} in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name {was} Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite;
Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
And he brought up Hadassah, that {is} , Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid {was} fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree were heard, and when many maidens were assembled at Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also to the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens {who were} meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids to the best {place} of the house of the women.
Esther had not showed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not show {it} .
And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
Now when every maid's turn had come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, {to wit} , six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with {other} things for the purifying of the women;)
Then thus came {every} maiden to the king; whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women to the king's house.
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except that the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, had come to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which {is} the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Then the king made a great feast to all his princes and his servants, {even} Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
And when the virgins were assembled the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
Esther had not {yet} showed her kindred, nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther performed the commandment of Mordecai, as when she was brought up with him.
In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those who kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told {it} to Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king {of it} in Mordecai's name.
And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was discovered; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
After these things king Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that {were} with him.
And all the king's servants that {were} in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did {him} reverence.
Then the king's servants who {were} in the king's gate, said to Mordecai, Why dost thou transgress the king's commandment?
Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he hearkened not to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he {was} a Jew.
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
And he scorned to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shown him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that {were} throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, {even} the people of Mordecai.
In the first month, (that {is} , the month Nisan,) in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that {is} , the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, {to} the twelfth {month} , that {is} , the month Adar.
And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws {are} diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it {is} not for the king's profit to suffer them.
If it shall please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring {it} into the king's treasuries.
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews enemy.
And the king said to Haman, The silver {is} given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded to the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that {were} over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province, according to the writing of it, and {to} every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, {even} upon the thirteenth {day} of the twelfth month, which {is} the month Adar, and {to take} the spoil of them for a prey.
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province, was published to all people, that they should be ready against that day.
The posts departed, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
And came even before the king's gate: for none {might} enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
And in every province whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, {there was} great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told {it} to her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received {it} not.
Then called Esther for Hatach, {one} of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it {was} , and why it {was} .
So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, to the street of the city, which {was} before the king's gate.
And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to show {it} to Esther, and to declare {it} to her, and to charge her that she should go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him for her people.
And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Again Esther spoke to Hatach, and gave him commandment to Mordecai;
All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whoever, whether man or woman, shall come to the king into the inner court, who is not called, {there is} one law of his to put {him} to death, except him to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.
And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews.
For if thou shalt altogether hold thy peace at this time, {then} will there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house will be destroyed: and who knoweth, whether thou hast come to the kingdom for {such} a time as this?
Then Esther bade {them} return Mordecai {this answer} ,
Go, assemble all the Jews {that are} present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which {is} not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on {her} royal {apparel} , and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, {that} she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that {was} in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.
Then said the king to her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what {is} thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
And Esther answered, If {it shall seem} good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.
Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What {is} thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what {is} thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request {is} :
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it shall please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
Nevertheless, Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all {the things} in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
Haman said moreover, Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow I am invited to her also with the king.
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends to him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and to-morrow speak thou to the king that Mordecai may be hanged upon it: then go thou in merrily with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
In that night the king could not sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
And it was found written, that Mordecai had informed of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered to him, There is nothing done for him.
And the king said, Who {is} in the court? Now Haman had come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak to the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
And the king's servants said to him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
So Haman came in. And the king said to him, What shall be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honor,
Let the royal apparel be brought which the king {useth} to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man whom the king delighteth to honor, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor.
Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, {and} take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
Then Haman took the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor.
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every {thing} that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife to him, If Mordecai {is} of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou wilt not prevail against him, but wilt surely fall before him.
And while they {were} yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What {is} thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what {is} thy request? and it shall be performed, {even} to the half of the kingdom.
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it shall please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bond-men and bond-women, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
And Esther said, The adversary and enemy {is} this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath {went} into the palace-garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Then the king returned out of the palace-garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen upon the bed on which Esther {was} . Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him upon it.
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
On that day the king Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he {was} to her.
And the king took off his ring which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
And Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
Then the king held out the golden scepter towards Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
And said, If it shall please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing {shall seem} right before the king, and I {am} pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who {are} in all the king's provinces:
For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
Then the king Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
Write ye also for the Jews, as it pleaseth you, in the king's name, and seal {it} with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, no man may reverse.
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that {is} , the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth {day} of it; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which {are} from India to Cush, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, to every province according to the writing of it, and to every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus's name, and sealed {it} with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, {and} riders on mules, camels, {and} young dromedaries:
In which the king granted the Jews who {were} in every city to assemble, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, {both} little ones and women, and {to take} the spoil of them for a prey,
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, {namely} , upon the thirteenth {day} of the twelfth month, which {is} the month Adar,
The copy of the writing for a commandment, to be given in every province {was} published to all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
{So} the posts that rode upon mules {and} camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced, and was glad:
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor.
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Now in the twelfth month, that {is} , the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.
And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
For Mordecai {was} great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai became greater and greater.
Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would to those that hated them.
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, they slew; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
And the king said to Esther the queen, the Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what {is} thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what {is} thy request further? and it shall be done.
Then said Esther, If it shall please the king, let it be granted to the Jews who {are} in Shushan to do to-morrow also according to this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
For the Jews that {were} in Shushan assembled on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
But the other Jews that {were} in the king's provinces assembled, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, (but they laid not their hands on the prey.)
On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
But the Jews that {were} at Shushan assembled on the thirteenth {day} of the month, and on the fourteenth of it: and on the fifteenth {day} of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar {a day of} gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews that {were} in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, {both} nigh and far,
To establish {this} among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
As the days in which the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day, that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them;
Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that {is} , the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
But when {Esther} came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and {of that} which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come to them,
The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves to them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their {appointed} time every year;
And {that} these days {should be} remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and {that} these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
And he sent the letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, {with} words of peace and truth,
To confirm these days of Purim in their times {appointed} , according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and {upon} the isles of the sea.
And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, {are} they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
For Mordecai the Jew {was} next to king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name {was} Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil.
And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
And his sons went and feasted {in their} houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
And it was so, when the days of {their} feasting were ended, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings {according} to the number of them all; for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it.
And the LORD said to Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that {there is} none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil?
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught?
Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he hath {is} in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters {were} eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
And there came a messenger to Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
And the Sabeans fell {upon them} , and took them away; yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped alone to tell thee.
While he {was} yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God hath fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only have escaped alone to tell thee.
While he {was} yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped alone to tell thee.
While he {was} yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters {were} eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only have escaped alone to tell thee.
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshiped,
And said, Naked came I from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
And the LORD said to Satan, Whence comest thou? and Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it.
And the LORD said to Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that {there is} none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, even, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, he {is} in thy hand; but save his life.
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown.
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself with {it} ; and he sat down among the ashes.
Then said his wife to him, Dost thou still retain thy integrity? curse God, and die.
But he said to her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him, and to comfort him.
And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they raised their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads towards heaven.
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him: for they saw that {his} grief was very great.
After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day.
And Job spoke, and said,
Let the day perish in which I was born, and the night {in which} it was said, There is a man child conceived.
Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
Let darkness and the shades of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
As {for} that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined to the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
Let the stars of its twilight be dark; let it look for light, but {have} none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
Because it prevented not my birth, nor hid sorrow from my eyes.
Why died I not from the womb? {why} did I {not} expire at the time of my birth?
Why did the knees receive me? or why the breasts that I should be nursed?
For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
With kings and counselors of the earth, who built desolate places for themselves;
Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants {which} never saw light.
There the wicked cease {from} troubling; and there the weary are at rest.
{There} the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
The small and great are there; and the servant {is} free from his master.
Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter {in} soul;
Who long for death, but it {cometh} not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
Who rejoice exceedingly, {and} are glad, when they can find the grave?
{Why is light given} to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?
For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
For the thing which I greatly feared hath come upon me, and that which I dreaded hath come to me.
I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
{If} we essay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can refrain from speaking?
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Thy words have upheld him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
But now it hath come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
{Is} not {this} thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Remember, I pray thee, who {ever} perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off;
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a small sound of it.
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men.
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
It stood still, but I could not discern its form: an image {was} before my eyes, {there was} silence, and I heard a voice, {saying} ,
Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
How much less {in} them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation {is} in the dust, {who} are crushed before the moth?
They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding {it} .
Doth not their excellence {which is} in them depart? they die, even without wisdom.
Call now, if there is any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither {is there} any to deliver {them} .
Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
Although affliction cometh not forth from the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
I would seek to God, and to God would I commit my cause:
Who doeth great things and unsearchable; wonderful things without number:
Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
To set on high those that are low: that those who mourn may be exalted to safety.
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform {their} enterprise.
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
They meet with darkness in the day-time, and grope in the noon-day as in the night.
But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
Behold, happy {is} the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
He will deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
In famine he will redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle {will be} in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
Thou shalt know also that thy seed {will be} great, and thy offspring as the grass of the earth.
Thou shalt come to {thy} grave in a full age, as a shock of corn cometh in in its season.
Lo this, we have searched it, so it {is} ; hear it, and know thou {it} for thy good.
But Job answered and said,
Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
For the arrows of the Almighty {are} within me, the poison of which drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there {any} taste in the white of an egg?
The things {that} my soul refused to touch {are} as my sorrowful food.
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant {me} the thing that I long for!
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
What {is} my strength, that I should hope? and what {is} my end, that I should prolong my life?
{Is} my strength the strength of stones? or {is} my flesh of brass?
{Is} not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
To him that is afflicted pity {should be shown} from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, {and} as the stream of brooks they pass away;
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, {and} in which the snow is hid:
In the time when they become warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
For now ye are nothing: ye see {my} casting down, and are afraid.
Did I say, Bring to me? or Give a reward for me of your substance?
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand in what I have erred.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, {which are} as wind?
Yes, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig {a pit} for your friend.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for {it is} evident to you if I lie.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness {is} in it.
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
{Is there} not an appointed time to man upon earth? {are not} his days also like the days of a hireling?
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as a hireling looketh for {the reward of} his work;
So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro to the dawning of the day.
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and become lothsome.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
O remember that my life {is} wind: my eye will no more see good.
The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no {more} : thy eyes {are} upon me, and I {am} not.
{As} the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no {more} .
He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
{Am} I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?
When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;
Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
So that my soul chooseth strangling, {and} death rather than my life.
I lothe {it} ; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days {are} vanity.
What {is} man, that thou shouldst magnify him? and that thou shouldst set thy heart upon him?
And {that} thou shouldst visit him every morning, {and} try him every moment?
How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow my spittle?
I have sinned; what shall I do to thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I {shall} not {be} .
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
How long wilt thou speak these {things} ? and {how long shall} the words of thy mouth {be like} a strong wind?
Doth God pervert judgment; or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
If thy children have sinned against him, and he hath cast them away for their transgression;
If thou wouldst seek to God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
If thou {wert} pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end would greatly increase.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
(For we {are but of} yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth {are} a shadow:)
Will they not teach thee, {and} tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Can the rush grow without mire? can the flag grow without water?
Whilst it {is} yet in its greenness, {and} not cut down, it withereth before any {other} herb.
So {are} the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust {shall be} a spider's web.
He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
He {is} green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
His roots are wrapped about the heap, {and} seeth the place of stones.
If he shall destroy him from his place, then {it} shall deny him, {saying} , I have not seen thee.
Behold, this {is} the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect {man} , neither will he help the evil doers:
Till he shall fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to naught.
Then Job answered and said,
I know {it to be} so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
{He is} wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened {himself} against him, and hath prospered?
Who removeth the mountains, and they know not: who overturneth them in his anger.
Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and its pillars tremble.
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
Who maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
Who doeth great things past finding out; yes, and wonders without number.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see {him} not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What doest thou?
{If} God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
How much less shall I answer him, {and} choose out my words {to reason} with him?
Whom, though I were righteous, {yet} would I not answer, {but} I would make supplication to my judge.
If I had called, and he had answered me; {yet} I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.
For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
If {I speak} of strength, lo, {he is} strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time {to plead} ?
If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me: {if I say} , I {am} perfect, that also will prove me perverse.
{Though} I {were} perfect, {yet} would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
This {is} one {thing} , therefore I said {it} , he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
If the scourge shall slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of its judges; if not, where, {and} who {is} he?
Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle {that} hasteth to the prey.
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort {myself} :
I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
{If} I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain?
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
For {he is} not a man, as I {am} , {that} I should answer him, {and} we should come together in judgment.
Neither is there any judge between us, {that} might lay his hand upon us both.
Let him take away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
{Then} would I speak, and not fear him; but {it is} not so with me.
My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
I will say to God, Do not condemn me; show me why thou contendest with me.
{Is it} good to thee that thou shouldst oppress, that thou shouldst despise the work of thy hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?
{Are} thy days as the days of man? {are} thy years as man's days,
That thou inquirest after my iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and {there is} none that can deliver out of thy hand.
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me in all my parts; yet thou dost destroy me.
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?
Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.
Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
And these {things} hast thou hid in thy heart: I know that this {is} with thee.
If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from my iniquity.
If I be wicked, woe to me; and {if} I be righteous, {yet} will I not lift up my head. {I am} full of confusion; therefore see thou my affliction;
For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou showest thyself wonderful upon me.
Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thy indignation upon me; changes and war {are} against me.
Why then hast thou brought me forth from the womb? O that I had expired, and no eye had seen me!
I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
{Are} not my days few? cease {then} , {and} let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
Before I go {whence} I shall not return, {even} to the land of darkness, and the shades of death;
A land of darkness, as darkness {itself} ; {and} of the shades of death, without any order, and {where} the light {is} as darkness.
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
Should thy falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
For thou hast said, My doctrine {is} pure, and I am clean in thy eyes.
But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that {they are} double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee {less} than thy iniquity {deserveth} .
Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?
{It is} as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
The measure of it {is} longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider {it} ?
For vain man would be wise, though man is born {like} a wild ass's colt.
If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands towards him;
If iniquity {is} in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yes, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:
Because thou shalt forget {thy} misery, {and} remember {it} as waters {that} pass away:
And {thy} age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yes, thou shalt dig {about thee} , {and} thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make {thee} afraid; yes, many shall make suit to thee.
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope {shall be as} the expiration of the breath.
And Job answered and said,
No doubt but ye {are} the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
But I have understanding as well as you; I {am} not inferior to you: yes, who knoweth not such things as these?
I am {as} one mocked by his neighbor, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright {man is} derided.
He that is ready to slip with {his} feet {is as} a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth {abundantly} .
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to thee.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
In whose hand {is} the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste its food?
With the ancient {is} wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
With him {is} wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
With him {is} strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver {are} his.
He leadeth counselors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
He revealeth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth to light the shades of death.
He increaseth nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth nations, and straiteneth them {again} .
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness {where there is} no way.
They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like {a} drunken {man} .
Lo, my eye hath seen all {this} , my ear hath heard and understood it.
What ye know, {the same} do I know also: I {am} not inferior to you.
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
But ye {are} forgers of lies, ye {are} all physicians of no value.
O that ye would altogether hold your peace and it would be your wisdom.
Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye {so} mock him?
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
Shall not his excellence make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
Your remembrances {are} like to ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what {will} .
Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
Though he shall slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.
He also {shall be} my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him.
Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
Behold now, I have ordered {my} cause; I know that I shall be justified.
Who {is} he {that} will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall expire.
Only do not two {things} to me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
Withdraw thy hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
How many {are} my iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
Why hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thy enemy?
Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly to all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth-eaten.
Man {that is} born of a woman {is} of few days, and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
And dost thou open thy eyes upon such one, and bring me into judgment with thee?
Who can bring a clean {thing} out of an unclean? not one.
Seeing his days {are} determined, the number of his months {is} with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
For there is hope of a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender branch will not cease.
Though its root shall become old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground;
{Yet} through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
But man dieth, and wasteth away: yes, man yieldeth his breath, and where {is} he?
{As} the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens {shall be} no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
O that thou wouldst hide me in the grave, that thou wouldst keep me secret, until thy wrath is past, that thou wouldst appoint me a set time, and remember me!
If a man dieth, shall he live {again} ? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change shall come.
Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thy hands.
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
My transgression {is} sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up my iniquity.
And surely the mountain falling cometh to naught, and the rock is removed out of its place.
The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow {out} of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
His sons come to honor, and he knoweth {it} not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth {it} not of them.
But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
Should a wise men utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches with which he can do no good?
Yes, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
For thy mouth uttereth thy iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
Thy own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yes, thy own lips testify against thee.
{Art} thou the first man {that} was born? or wast thou made before the hills?
Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
What knowest thou that we know not? {what} understandest thou, which {is} not in us?
With us {are} both the gray headed and very aged men, much older than thy father.
{Are} the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
Why doth thy heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest {such} words go out of thy mouth?
What {is} man, that he should be clean? and {he who is} born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
How much more abominable and filthy {is} man, who drinketh iniquity like water?
I will show thee, hear me; and that {which} I have seen, I will declare;
Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid {it} :
To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
The wicked man travaileth with pain all {his} days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
A dreadful sound {is} in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for by the sword.
He wandereth abroad for bread, {saying} , Where {is it} ? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
He runneth upon him, {even} on {his} neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on {his} flanks.
And he dwelleth in desolate cities, {and} in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection of it upon the earth.
He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompense.
It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.
He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
For the congregation of hypocrites {shall be} desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Then Job answered and said,
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters {are} ye all.
Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
I also could speak as ye {do} : if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.
{But} I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage {your grief} .
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and {though} I forbear, what am I eased?
But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, {which} is a witness {against me} : and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
He teareth {me} in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; my enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves against me.
God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken {me} by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
His archers encompass me; he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.
My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids {are} the shades of death;
Not for {any} injustice in my hands: also my prayer {is} pure.
O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
Also now, behold, my witness {is} in heaven, and my record {is} on high.
My friends scorn me: {but} my eye poureth out {tears} to God.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man {pleadeth} for his neighbor!
When a few years are come, then I shall go the way {whence} I shall not return.
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves {are ready} for me.
{Are there} not mockers with me? and doth not my eye continue in their provocation?
Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who {is} he {that} will strike hands with me?
For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt {them} .
He that speaketh flattery to {his} friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
He hath made me also a by-word of the people; and in former time I was as a tabret.
My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members {are} as a shade.
Upright {men} shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find {one} wise {man} among you.
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, {even} the thoughts of my heart.
They change the night into day: the light {is} short because of darkness.
If I wait, the grave {is} my house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
I have said to corruption, Thou {art} my father: to the worm, {Thou art} my mother, and my sister.
And where {is} now my hope? as for my hope, who will see it?
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when {our} rest together {is} in the dust.
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
How long {will it be ere} ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
Why are we counted as beasts, {and} reputed vile in your sight?
He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of its place?
Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
The gin shall take {him} by the heel, {and} the robber shall prevail against him.
The snare {is} laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
His strength shall be hunger-bitten, and destruction {shall be} ready at his side.
It shall devour the strength of his skin: {even} the first-born of death shall devour his strength.
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because {it is} none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.
His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
They that come after {him} shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
Surely such {are} the dwellings of the wicked, and this {is} the place {of him that} knoweth not God.
Then Job answered and said,
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed {that} ye make yourselves strange to me.
And be it indeed {that} I have erred, my error remaineth with myself.
If indeed ye will magnify {yourselves} against me, and plead against me my reproach:
Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath encompassed me with his net.
Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but {there is} no judgment.
He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown {from} my head.
He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and my hope hath he removed like a tree.
He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me to him as {one of} his enemies.
His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp around my tabernacle.
He hath put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
My kinsmen have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
I called my servant, and he gave {me} no answer; I entreated him with my mouth.
My breath is strange to my wife, though I entreated for the children's {sake} of my own body.
Yes, young children despised me; I arose, and they spoke against me.
All my intimate friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped with the skin of my teeth.
Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
That they were graven with an iron pen in lead, in the rock for ever!
For I know {that} my redeemer liveth, and {that} he will stand at the latter {day} upon the earth:
And {though} after my skin {worms} destroy this {body} , yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; {though} my reins be consumed within me.
But ye would say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath {bringeth} the punishments of the sword, that ye may know {there} is a judgment.
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for {this} I make haste.
I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
Knowest thou {not} this of old, since man was placed upon earth,
That the triumphing of the wicked {is} short, and the joy of the hypocrite {but} for a moment?
Though his excellence shall mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds;
{Yet} he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they who have seen him shall say, Where {is} he?
He shall fly away as a dream, and will not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
The eye also {which} saw him shall {see him} no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.
His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.
His bones are full {of the sin} of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.
Though wickedness may be sweet in his mouth, {though} he may hide it under his tongue;
{Though} he may spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:
{Yet} his food in his bowels is turned, {it is} the gall of asps within him.
He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.
He shall not see the river, the floods, the brooks of honey and buttermilk.
That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow {it} : according to {his} substance {shall} the restitution {be} , and he shall not rejoice {in it} .
Because he hath oppressed {and} hath forsaken the poor; {because} he hath violently taken away a house which he did not build.
Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.
There shall none of his food be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.
In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.
{When} he is about to fill his belly, {God} shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain {it} upon him while he is eating.
He shall flee from the iron weapon, {and} the bow of steel shall strike him through.
It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yes, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors {are} upon him.
All darkness {shall be} hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.
The increase of his house shall depart, {and his goods} shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
This {is} the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.
But Job answered and said,
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
Suffer me that I may speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.
As for me, {is} my complaint to man? and if {it were so} , why should not my spirit be troubled?
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay {your} hand upon {your} mouth.
Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
Why do the wicked live, become old, and, are mighty in power?
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Their houses {are} safe from fear, neither {is} the rod of God upon them.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
What {is} the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
Lo, their good {is} not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? and {how oft} cometh their destruction upon them? {God} distributeth sorrows in his anger.
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know {it} .
His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
For what pleasure {hath} he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
Shall {any} teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices {which} ye wrongfully imagine against me.
For ye say, Where {is} the house of the prince? and where {are} the dwelling places of the wicked?
Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they will be brought forth to the day of wrath.
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him {what} he hath done?
Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
The clods of the valley will be sweet to him, and every man will draw after him, as {there are} innumerable before him.
How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?
{Is it} any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or {is it} gain {to him} , that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?
{Is} not thy wickedness great? and thy iniquities infinite?
For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for naught, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withheld bread from the hungry.
But {as for} the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelt in it.
Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
Therefore snares {are} around thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;
Or darkness, {that} thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.
{Is} not God in the hight of heaven? and behold the hight of the stars, how high they are!
And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
Thick clouds {are} a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
Who were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflowed with a flood!
Who said to God, depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them!
Yet he filled their houses with good {things} : but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
The righteous see {it} , and are glad: and the innocent deride them.
Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: by this good shall come to thee.
Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thy heart.
If thou shalt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the {gold} of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defense and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face to God.
Thou shalt make thy prayer to him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established to thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
When {men} are cast down, then thou shalt say, {There is} exaltation; and he shall save the humble person.
He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thy hands.
Then Job answered and said,
Even to-day {is} my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
Oh that I knew where I might find him! {that} I might come {even} to his seat!
I would order {my} cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know the words {which} he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
Would he plead against me with {his} great power? No; but he would put {strength} in me.
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Behold, I go forward, but he {is} not {there} ; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold {him} : he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see {him} :
But he knoweth the way that I take: {when} he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary {food} .
But he {is} in one {mind} , and who can turn him? and {what} his soul desireth, even {that} he doeth.
For he performeth {the thing that is} appointed for me: and many such {things are} with him.
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, {neither} hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Why, seeing times {are} not hid from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?
{Some} remove the landmarks: they violently take away flocks, and {their} feed.
They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
Behold, {as} wild asses in the desert, they go forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness {yieldeth} food for them {and} for {their} children.
They reap {every one} his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked.
They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that {they have} no covering in the cold.
They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
They cause {him} to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf {from} the hungry;
{Who} make oil within their walls, {and} tread {their} wine-presses, and suffer thirst.
Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly {to them} .
They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths.
The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth {his} face.
In the dark they dig through houses, {which} they had marked for themselves in the day-time: they know not the light.
For the morning {is} to them even as the shades of death: if {one} knoweth {them} , {they are in} the terrors of the shades of death.
He {is} swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
Drouth and heat consume the snow-waters: {so doth} the grave {those who} have sinned.
The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.
He oppresseth the barren {that} beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.
He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no {man} is sure of life.
{Though} it is given him {to be} in safety, on which he resteth; yet his eyes {are} upon their ways.
They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all {others} , and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
And if {it is} not {so} now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech of no worth?
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
Dominion and fear {are} with him, he maketh peace in his high places.
Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean {that is} born of a woman?
Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; and the stars are not pure in his sight.
How much less man, {that is} a worm; and the son of man, {who is} a worm?
But Job answered and said,
How hast thou helped {him that is} without power? {how} savest thou the arm {that hath} no strength?
How hast thou counseled {him that hath} no wisdom? and {how} hast thou abundantly declared the thing as it is?
To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
Dead {things} are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
Hell {is} naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.
He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, {and} hangeth the earth upon nothing.
He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
He holdeth back the face of {his} throne, {and} spreadeth his cloud upon it.
He hath encompassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
He divideth the sea by his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
Lo, these {are} parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
Moreover, Job continued his parable, and said,
{As} God liveth, {who} hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty {who} hath afflicted my soul;
All the while my breath {is} in me, and the spirit of God {is} in my nostrils;
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Far be it from me that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove my integrity from me.
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach {me} so long as I live.
Let my enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
For what {is} the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
I will teach you by the hand of God: {that} which {is} with the Almighty will I not conceal.
Behold, all ye yourselves have seen {it} ; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
This {is} the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, {which} they shall receive of the Almighty.
If his children are multiplied, {it is} for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.
Though he should heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay?
He may prepare {it} , but the just shall put {it} on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth {that} the keeper maketh.
The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he {is} not.
Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.
For {God} shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
{Men} shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold {where} they fine {it} .
Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass {is} melted {out of} the stone.
He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shades of death.
The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant: {even the waters} forgotten by the foot: they are dried up, they have gone away from men.
{As for} the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
The stones of it {are} the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.
{There is} a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vultur's eye hath not seen:
The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.
He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.
He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and {the thing that is} hid he bringeth forth to light.
But where shall wisdom be found? and where {is} the place of understanding?
Man knoweth not the price of it; neither is it found in the land of the living.
The depth saith, It {is} not in me: and the sea saith, {It is} not with me.
It cannot be obtained for gold, neither shall silver be weighed {for} the price of it.
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it {shall not be for} jewels of fine gold.
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom {is} above rubies.
The topaz of Cush shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where {is} the place of understanding?
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame of it with our ears.
God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth its place.
For he looketh to the ends of the earth, {and} seeth under the whole heaven;
To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that {is} wisdom; and to depart from evil {is} understanding.
Moreover, Job continued his parable, and said,
Oh that I were as {in} months past, as {in} the days {when} God preserved me;
When his candle shined upon my head, {and when} by his light I walked {through} darkness;
As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God {was} upon my tabernacle;
When the Almighty {was} yet with me, {when} my children {were} about me;
When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
When I went out to the gate through the city, {when} I prepared my seat in the street!
The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, {and} stood up.
The princes refrained talking, and laid {their} hand on their mouth.
The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
When the ear heard {me} , then it blessed me; and when the eye saw {me} , it gave witness to me:
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and {him that had} none to help him.
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment {was} as a robe and a diadem.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet {was} I to the lame.
I {was} a father to the poor: and the cause {which} I knew not I searched out.
And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply {my} days as the sand.
My root {was} spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
My glory {was} fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
To me {men} gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
After my words they spoke not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide {as} for the latter rain.
{If} I laughed on them, they believed {it} not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one {that} comforteth the mourners.
But now {they that are} younger than I, have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
Yes, to what {might} the strength of their hands {profit} me, in whom old age had perished?
For want and famine {they were} solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots {for} their food.
They were driven forth from among {men} , (they cried after them, as {after} a thief;)
To dwell in the clefts of the valleys, {in} caves of the earth, and {in} the rocks.
Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were collected.
{They were} children of fools, yes, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
And now I am their song, yes, I am their by-word.
They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
Upon {my} right {hand} rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.
They came {upon me} as a wide breaking in {of waters} : in the desolation they rolled themselves {upon me} .
Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.
And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.
By the great force {of my disease} is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.
He hath cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
I cry to thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me {not} .
Thou hast become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride {upon it} , and dissolvest my substance.
For I know {that} thou wilt bring me {to} death, and {to} the house appointed for all living.
Yet he will not stretch out {his} hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was {not} my soul grieved for the poor?
When I looked for good, then evil came: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction came upon me.
I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, {and} I cried in the congregation.
I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
My harp also is {turned} to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
I Made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
For what portion of God {is there} from above? and {what} inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
{Is} not destruction to the wicked? and a strange {punishment} to the workers of iniquity?
Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;
Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity.
If my step hath turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to my hands;
{Then} let me sow, and let another eat; yes, let my offspring be rooted out.
If my heart hath been deceived by a woman, or {if} I have laid wait at my neighbor's door;
{Then} let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down upon her.
For this {is} a hainous crime; yea, it {is} an iniquity {to be punished by} the judges.
For it {is} a fire {that} consumeth to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
If I despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me;
What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
If I have withheld the poor from {their} desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten of it;
(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as {with} a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
If his loins have not blessed me, and {if} he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
{Then} let my arm fall from my shoulder-blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.
For destruction {from} God {was} a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, {Thou art} my confidence;
If I have rejoiced because my wealth {was} great, and because my hand had gained much;
If I have beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking {in} brightness;
And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
This also {were} an iniquity {to be punished by} the judge: for I should have denied the God {that is} above.
If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or have lifted up myself when evil found him:
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
If the men of my tabernacle have not said, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
The stranger did not lodge in the street: {but} I opened my doors to the traveler.
If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom:
Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, {and} went not out of the door?
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire {is} , {that} the Almighty would answer me, and {that} my adversary had written a book.
Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, {and} bind it {as} a crown to me.
I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him.
If my land crieth against me, or its furrows likewise complain;
If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life:
Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he {was} righteous in his own eyes.
Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and {yet} had condemned Job.
Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken because they {were} older than he.
When Elihu saw that {there was} no answer in the mouth of {these} three men, then his wrath was kindled.
And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I {am} young, and ye {are} very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you my opinion.
I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
But {there is} a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Great men are not {always} wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion.
Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
Yes, I attended to you, and behold, {there was} none of you that convinced Job, {or} that answered his words:
Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
Now he hath not directed {his} words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, {and} answered no more;)
{I said} , I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
Behold, my belly {is} as wine {which} hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles to man.
For I know not to give flattering titles; {in so doing} , my Maker would soon take me away.
Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
My words {shall be of} the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
If thou canst answer me, set {thy words} in order before me, stand up.
Behold, I {am} according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of {thy} words, {saying} ,
I am clean without transgression, I {am} innocent; neither {is there} iniquity in me.
Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
Behold, {in} this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
For God speaketh once, yes twice, {yet man} perceiveth it not.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
That he may withdraw man {from his} purpose, and hide pride from man.
He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong {pain} :
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food.
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones {that} were not seen stick out.
Yes, his soul draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness:
Then he is gracious to him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he will return to the days of his youth:
He shall pray to God, and he will be favorable to him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render to man his righteousness.
He looketh upon men, and {if any} shall say, I have sinned, and perverted {that which was} right, and it profited me not;
He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
Lo, all these {things} God often worketh with man,
To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Mark well, O Job, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
If not, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
Hear my words, O ye wise {men} ; and give ear to me, ye that have knowledge.
For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what {is} good.
For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
Should I lie against my right? my wound {is} incurable without transgression.
What man {is} like Job, {who} drinketh up scorning like water?
Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
Therefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, {that he should do} wickedness; and {from} the Almighty, {that he should commit} iniquity.
For the work of a man he shall render to him, and cause every man to find according to {his} ways.
Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
If he should set his heart upon man, {if} he should gather to himself his spirit and his breath;
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
If now {thou hast} understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
{Is it fit} to say to a king, {Thou art} wicked? {and} to princes, {Ye are} ungodly?
{How much less to him} that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all {are} the work of his hands.
In a moment they shall die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
For his eyes {are} upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
{There is} no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
For he will not lay upon man more {than right} ; that he should enter into judgment with God.
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth {them} in the night, so that they are destroyed.
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth {his} face, who then can behold him? whether {it be done} against a nation, or against a man only:
That the hypocrite may not reign, lest the people should be ensnared.
Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne {chastisement} , I will not offend {any more} :
{That which} I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
{Should it be} according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou shalt refuse, or whether thou shalt choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words {were} without wisdom.
My desire {is that} Job may be tried to the end, because of {his} answers for wicked men.
For he addeth rebellion to his sin, he clappeth {his hands} among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Elihu spoke moreover, and said,
Thinkest thou this to be right, {that} thou saidst, My righteousness {is} more than God's?
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be to thee? {and} , What profit shall I have, {if I be cleansed} from my sin?
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
Look to the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds {which} are higher than thou.
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or {if} thy transgressions are multiplied, what doest thou to him?
If thou art righteous, what givest thou to him? or what receiveth he from thy hand?
Thy wickedness {may hurt} a man as thou {art} : and thy righteousness {may profit} the son of man.
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make {the oppressed} to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
But none saith, Where {is} God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, {yet} judgment {is} before him; therefore trust thou in him.
But now, because {it is} not {so} , he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth {it} not in great extremity:
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
Elihu also proceeded, and said,
Suffer me a little, and I will show thee that {I have} yet to speak on God's behalf.
I will bring my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
For truly my words {shall} not {be} false: he that is perfect in knowledge {is} with thee.
Behold, God {is} mighty, and despiseth not {any} : {he is} mighty in strength {and} wisdom.
He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings {are they} on the throne; yes, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
And if {they are} bound in fetters, {and} are held in cords of affliction;
Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
If they obey and serve {him} , they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
They die in youth, and their life {is} among the unclean.
He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait {into} a broad place, where {there is} no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table {would be} full of fatness.
But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold {on thee} .
Because {there is} wrath, {beware} lest he take thee away with {his} stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
Will he esteem thy riches? {no} , not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
Every man may see it; man may behold {it} afar off.
Behold, God {is} great, and we know {him} not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapor of it.
Which the clouds do drop {and} distill upon man abundantly.
Also can {any} understand the spreadings of the clouds, {or} the noise of his tabernacle?
Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
For by them he judgeth the people; he giveth food in abundance.
With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it {not to shine} by {the} intervening {cloud} .
The noise of it showeth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapor.
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound {that} goeth out of his mouth.
He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellence; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things he doeth, which we cannot comprehend.
For he saith to the snow, Be thou {on} the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
From the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold from the north.
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
And it is turned around by his counsels: that they may do whatever he commandeth them upon the face of the world on the earth.
He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
Hearken to this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
How thy garments {are} warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south {wind} ?
Hast thou with him spread out the sky {which is} strong, {and} as a molten looking-glass?
Teach us what we shall say to him; {for} we cannot order {our speech} by reason of darkness.
Shall it be told him that I speak? If a man shall speak, surely he will be swallowed up.
And now {men} see not the bright light which {is} in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
Fair weather cometh from the north: with God {is} terrible majesty.
{Touching} the Almighty, we cannot find him out: {he is} excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice: he will not afflict.
Men therefore fear him: he respecteth not any {that are} wise of heart.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Who {is} this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Who hath laid the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Upon what are the foundations of it fastened? or who laid its corner stone;
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Or {who} shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, {as if} it had issued out of the womb?
When I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,
And broke up for it my decreed {place} , and set bars and doors,
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; {and} caused the day-spring to know its place;
That it might take hold of the ends of earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
It is turned as clay {to} the seal; and they stand as a garment.
And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken.
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
Have the gates of death been opened to thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shades of death?
Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
Where {is} the way {where} light dwelleth? and {as for} darkness, where {is} its place,
That thou shouldest take it to its bound, and that thou shouldest know the paths {to} its house?
Knowest thou {it} , because thou wast then born? or {because} the number of thy days {is} great?
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
By what way is the light parted, {which} scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
To cause it to rain on the earth, {where} no man {is} ; {on} the wilderness in which {there is} no man;
To satisfy the desolate and waste {ground} ; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of the dew?
Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
The waters are hid as {with} a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in its season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with its sons?
Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set its dominion on the earth?
Canst thou lift thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say to thee, Here we {are} ?
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
When they couch in {their} dens, {and} abide in the covert to lie in wait?
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for want of food.
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? {or} canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
Canst thou number the months {that} they fulfill? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not to them.
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
The range of the mountains {is} his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
Wilt thou trust him, because his strength {is} great? or wilt thou leave thy labor to him?
Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather {it into} thy barn?
{Gavest thou} the goodly wings to the peacocks? or wings and feathers to the ostrich!
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust,
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
She is hardened against her young ones, as though {they were} not hers: her labor is in vain without fear;
Because God hath withheld wisdom from her, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
When she lifteth herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils {is} terrible.
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in {his} strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that {it is} the sound of the trumpet.
He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, {and} stretch her wings towards the south?
Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
From thence she seeketh the prey, {and} her eyes behold afar off.
Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain {are} , there {is} she.
Moreover, the LORD answered Job, and said,
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct {him} ? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yes, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou to me.
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like his?
Deck thyself now {with} majesty and excellence; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one {that is} proud, and abase him.
Look on every one {that is} proud, {and} bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in secret.
Then will I also confess to thee that thy own right hand can save thee.
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Lo now, his strength {is} in his loins, and his force {is} in the navel of his belly.
He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his male organs are wrapped together.
His bones {are as} strong pieces of brass; his bones {are} like bars of iron.
He {is} the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach {him} .
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
The shady trees cover him {with} their shadow; the willows of the brook encompass him.
Behold, he drinketh up a river, {and} hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
He taketh it with his eyes: {his} nose pierceth through snares.
Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue with a cord {which} thou lettest down?
Canst thou put a hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
Will he make many supplications to thee? will he speak soft {words} to thee?
Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
Wilt thou play with him as {with} a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants.
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
Lay thy hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not {one} be cast down even at the sight of him?
None {is so} fierce that he dare rouse him: who then is able to stand before me?
Who hath first benefited me, that I should repay {him} ? {whatever is} under the whole heaven is mine.
I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
Who can discover the face of his garment? {or} who can come {to him} with his double bridle?
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth {are} terrible around.
{His} scales {are his} pride, shut together {as with} a close seal.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
His sneezings flash light, and his eyes {are} like the eyelids of the morning.
Out of his mouth go burning lamps, {and} sparks of fire dart forth.
Out of his nostrils issueth smoke, as {out} of a seething pot or caldron.
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame issueth from his mouth.
In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
His heart is as firm as a stone; yes, as hard as a piece of the nether {millstone} .
When he raiseth himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
The sword of him that attacketh him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
He esteemeth iron as straw, {and} brass as rotten wood.
The arrow cannot make him flee: sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.
Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
Sharp stones {are} under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
He maketh a path to shine after him; {one} would think the deep {to be} hoary.
Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
He beholdeth all high {things} : he {is} a king over all the children of pride.
Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
I know that thou canst do every {thing} , and {that} no thought can be withheld from thee.
Who {is} he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that which I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will ask of thee, and declare thou to me.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee.
Wherefore I abhor {myself} , and repent in dust and ashes.
And it was {so} , that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me {the thing that is} right, as my servant Job {hath} .
Therefore take to you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a burnt-offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you {after your} folly, in that ye have not spoken of me {the thing which is} right, like my servant Job.
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite {and} Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Then came there to him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house: and they condoled with him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an ear-ring of gold.
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
He had also seven sons, and three daughters.
And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.
And in all the land were no women found {so} fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
After this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, {even} four generations.
So Job died, {being} old and full of days.
Blessed {is} the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers.
But his delight {is} in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in season; its leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly {are} not so: but {are} like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, {saying} ,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and trouble them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said to me, Thou {art} my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I will give {thee} the heathen {for} thy inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth {for} thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish {from} the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed {are} all they that put their trust in him.
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they multiplied that trouble me? many {are} they that rise up against me.
Many {there are} who say of my soul, {There is} no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O LORD, {art} a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
I cried to the LORD with my voice, and he heard me from his holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set {themselves} against me on all sides.
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all my enemies {upon} the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation {belongeth} to the LORD: thy blessing {is} upon thy people. Selah.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me {when I was} in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long {will ye turn} my glory into shame? {how long} will ye love vanity, {and} seek after falsehood? Selah.
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call to him.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
{There are} many that say, Who will show us {any} good? LORD, lift thou upon us the light of thy countenance.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time {when} their corn and their wine increased.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou only, LORD, makest me dwell in safety.
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for to thee will I pray.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct {my prayer} to thee, and will look up.
For thou {art} not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Thou shalt destroy them that speak falsehood: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
But as for me, I will come {into} thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: {and} in thy fear will I worship towards thy holy temple.
Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness, because of my enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
For {there is} no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part {is} very wickedness; their throat {is} an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.
Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as {with} a shield.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I {am} weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are agitated.
My soul is also greatly disquieted: but thou, O LORD, how long?
Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercies sake.
For in death {there is} no remembrance of thee: in the grave who will give thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night I make my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
My eye is consumed because of grief; it groweth old because of all my enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly disquieted: let them return {and} be suddenly ashamed.
Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjaminite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending {it} in pieces, while {there is} none to deliver.
O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there is iniquity in my hands;
If I have rewarded evil to him that was at peace with me; (yes, I have delivered him that without cause is my enemy:)
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take {it} ; yes, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah.
Arise, O LORD, in thy anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of my enemies: and awake for me {to} the judgment {that} thou hast commanded.
So shall the congregation of the people encompass thee: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity {that is} in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
My defense {is} from God, who saveth the upright in heart.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry {with the wicked} every day.
If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit, and digged it, and hath fallen into the ditch {which} he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent {is} thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thy enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all {things} under his feet:
All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field;
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, {and whatever} passeth through the paths of the seas.
O LORD our Lord, how excellent {is} thy name in all the earth!
To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise {thee} , O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy wonderful works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou sattest on the throne judging right.
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial hath perished with them.
But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble {which I suffer} from them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
The heathen are sunk down in the pit {that} they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
The LORD is known {by} the judgment {which} he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
The wicked shall be turned into hell, {and} all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall {not} perish for ever.
Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Put them in fear, O LORD: {that} the nations may know themselves {to be but} men. Selah.
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? {why} hidest thou {thyself} in times of trouble?
The wicked in {his} pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, {whom} the LORD abhorreth.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek {after God} : God {is} not in all his thoughts.
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments {are} far above out of his sight: {as for} all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for {I shall} never {be} in adversity.
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue {is} mischief and vanity.
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
He croucheth, {and} humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see {it} .
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thy hand: forget not the humble.
Why doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require {it} .
Thou hast seen {it} ; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite {it} with thy hand: the poor committeth himself to thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil {man} : seek out his wickedness {till} thou shalt find none.
The LORD {is} King for ever and ever: the heathen have perished out of his land.
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thy ear to hear:
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
To the chief Musician, {A Psalm} of David. In the LORD I put my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee {as} a bird to your mountain?
For lo, the wicked bend {their} bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The LORD {is} in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne {is} in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.
The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: {this shall be} the portion of their cup.
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance beholdeth the upright.
To the chief Musician upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: {with} flattering lips {and} with a double heart do they speak.
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, {and} the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips {are} our own: who {is} lord over us?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set {him} in safety {from him that} puffeth at him.
The words of the LORD {are} pure words: {as} silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, {having} sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider {and} hear me, O LORD my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep {the sleep} of death;
Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; {and} those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
To the chief Musician, {A Psalm} of David. The fool hath said in his heart, {There is} no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, {there is} none that doeth good.
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, {and} seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are {all} together become filthy: {there is} none that doeth good, no, not one.
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people {as} they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
There were they in great fear: for God {is} in the generation of the righteous.
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD {is} his refuge.
Oh that the salvation of Israel {were come} out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, {and} Israel shall be glad.
A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
{He that} backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD. {He that} sweareth to {his own} hurt, and changeth not.
{He that} putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these {things} shall never be moved.
Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
{O my soul} , thou hast said to the LORD, Thou {art} my LORD: my goodness {extendeth} not to thee;
{But} to the saints that {are} in the earth, and {to} the excellent, in whom {is} all my delight.
Their sorrows shall be multiplied {that} hasten {after} another {god} : their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take their names into my lips.
The LORD {is} the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant {places} ; yes, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night season.
I have set the LORD always before me: because {he is} at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence {is} fullness of joy; at thy right hand {are} pleasures for evermore.
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, {that goeth} not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thy eyes behold the things that are equal.
Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited {me} in the night; thou hast tried me, {and} shalt find nothing; I have purposed {that} my mouth shall not transgress.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept {me from} the paths of the destroyer.
Uphold my goings in thy paths, {that} my footsteps slip not.
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thy ear to me, {and hear} my speech.
Show thy wonderful loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them who put their trust {in thee} from those that rise up {against them} .
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shade of thy wings.
From the wicked that oppress me, {from} my deadly enemies, {who} encompass me,
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Like as a lion {that} is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Arise, O LORD disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, {who is} thy sword:
From men {who are} thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, {who have} their portion in {this} life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid {treasure} : they are full of children, and leave the rest of their {substance} to their babes.
As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
To the chief Musician, {A Psalm} of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day {that} the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD {is} my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, {and} my high tower.
I will call upon the LORD, {who is worthy} to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
The sorrows of hell encompassed me: the snares of death seized me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, {even} into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness {was} under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and flew; yes, he flew upon the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion around him {were} dark waters {and} thick clouds of the skies.
At the brightness {that was} before him his thick clouds passed, hail {stones} and coals of fire.
The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail {stones} and coals of fire.
Yes, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them who hated me: for they were too strong for me.
They attacked me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
He brought me forth also in a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments {were} before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from my iniquity.
Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright;
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt contend.
For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
{As for} God, his way {is} perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he {is} a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who {is} God save the LORD? or who {is} a rock save our God?
{It is} God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds' {feet} , and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath held me up and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
I have pursued my enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they have fallen under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
Thou hast also given me the necks of my enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
They cried, but {there was} none to save {them} : {even} to the LORD, but he answered them not.
Then I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; {and} thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people {whom} I have not known shall serve me.
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves to me.
The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid from their close places.
The LORD liveth; and blessed {be} my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
{It is} God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
He delivereth me from my enemies: yes, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore will I give thanks to thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises to thy name.
He giveth great deliverance to his king; and showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for ever.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth the work of his hands.
Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night showeth knowledge.
{There is} no speech nor language, {where} their voice is not heard.
Their line hath gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which {is} as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, {and} rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth {is} from the end of the heaven, and his circuit to the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from his heat.
The law of the LORD {is} perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD {is} sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD {are} right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD {is} pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD {is} clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD {are} true {and} righteous altogether.
More to be desired {are they} than gold, yes, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb.
Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: {and} in keeping of them {there is} great reward.
Who can understand {his} errors? cleanse thou me from secret {faults} .
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous {sins} ; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt-sacrifice. Selah.
Grant thee according to thy own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel.
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up {our} banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.
Now I know that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Some {trust} in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought down and fallen: but we are raised, and stand upright.
Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
For thou hast met him with the blessings of goodness: thou hast set a crown of pure gold on his head.
He asked life of thee, {and} thou gavest {it} to him, {even} length of days for ever and ever.
His glory {is} great in thy salvation: honor and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
Thy hand shall find out all thy enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thy anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, {which} they are not able {to perform} .
Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, {when} thou shalt make ready {thy arrows} upon thy strings against the face of them.
Be thou exalted, LORD, in thy own strength: {so} will we sing and praise thy power.
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? {why art thou so far} from helping me, {and from} the words of my roaring?
O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
But thou {art} holy, {O thou} that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
They cried to thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
But I {am} a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
All they that see me deride me: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, {saying} ,
He trusted on the LORD {that} he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
But thou {art} he that brought me forth into life: thou didst make me hope {when I was} upon my mother's breasts.
I was cast upon thee from my birth: thou {art} my God from the time I was born.
Be not far from me; for trouble {is} near; for {there is} none to help.
Many bulls have compassed me: strong {bulls} of Bashan have beset me round.
They gaped upon me {with} their mouths, {as} a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may number all my bones: they look {and} stare upon me.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.
My praise {shall be} of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
For the kingdom {is} the LORD'S: and he {is} the governor among the nations.
All {they that are} fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the LORD for a generation.
They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, that he hath done {this} .
A Psalm of David. The LORD {is} my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shades of death, I will fear no evil: for thou {art} with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
A Psalm of David. The earth {is} the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend upon the hill of the LORD? and who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This {is} the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who {is} this King of glory? the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift {them} up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? the LORD of hosts, he {is} the King of glory. Selah.
{A Psalm} of David. To thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me,
Also, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed who transgress without cause.
Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou {art} the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they {have been} ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
Good and upright {is} the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
All the paths of the LORD {are} mercy and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity; for it {is} great.
What man {is} he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way {that} he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the LORD {is} with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
My eyes {are} ever towards the LORD; for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thee to me, and have mercy upon me; for I {am} desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
{A Psalm} of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; {therefore} I shall not slide.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
For thy loving-kindness {is} before my eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence: so will I compass thy altar, O LORD:
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy honor dwelleth.
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
In whose hands {is} mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity: redeem me, and be merciful to me.
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
{A Psalm} of David. The LORD {is} my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD {is} the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, {even} my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this {will} I {be} confident.
One {thing} have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he will hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle will he hide me; he will set me up upon a rock.
And now shall my head be lifted above my enemies around me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, {when} I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
{When thou saidst} , Seek ye my face; my heart said to thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Hide not thy face from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.
Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies: for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
{I had fainted} , unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he will strengthen thy heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
{A Psalm} of David. To thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, {if} thou shouldst be silent to me, I should become like them that go down into the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to thee, when I lift my hands towards thy holy oracle.
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief {is} in their hearts.
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he will destroy them, and not build them up.
Blessed {be} the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
The LORD {is} my strength, and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
The LORD {is} their strength, and he {is} the saving strength of his anointed.
Save thy people, and bless thy inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
A Psalm of David. Give to the LORD, O ye mighty, give to the LORD glory and strength.
Give to the LORD, the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD {is} upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD {is} upon many waters.
The voice of the LORD {is} powerful; the voice of the LORD {is} full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yes, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and maketh bare the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of {his} glory.
The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yes, the LORD sitteth king for ever.
The LORD will give strength to his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
A Psalm {and} Song, {at} the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to thee, and thou hast healed me.
O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing to the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
For his anger {endureth but} a moment; in his favor {is} life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy {cometh} in the morning.
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
LORD, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, {and} I was troubled.
I cried to thee, O LORD; and to the LORD I made supplication.
What profit {is there} in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that {my} glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
Bow down thy ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me.
For thou {art} my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou {art} my strength.
Into thy hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my foot in a large room.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: my eye is consumed with grief, {yes} , my soul and my belly.
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of my iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
I was a reproach among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to my acquaintance: they that saw me without fled from me.
I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
For I have heard the slander of many: fear {was} on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou {art} my God.
My times {are} in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
{Oh} how great {is} thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; {which} thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Blessed {be} the LORD: for he hath showed me his wonderful kindness in a strong city.
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thy eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried to thee.
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: {for} the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
Be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
{A Psalm} of David, Maschil. Blessed {is he whose} transgression {is} forgiven, {whose} sin {is} covered.
Blessed {is} the man to whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit {there is} no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones became old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drouth of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin to thee, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
For this shall every one that is godly pray to thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh to him.
Thou {art} my hiding place; thou wilt preserve me from trouble; thou wilt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with my eye.
Be ye not as the horse, {or} as the mule, {which} have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near to thee.
Many sorrows {shall be} to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall encompass him.
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all {ye that are} upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: {for} praise is comely for the upright.
Praise the LORD with harp: sing to him with the psaltery {and} an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the LORD {is} right; and all his works {are done} in truth.
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in store-houses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it was {done} ; he commanded, and it stood fast.
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of no effect.
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed {is} the nation whose God {is} the LORD; {and} the people {whom} he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
A horse {is} a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver {any} by his great strength.
Behold, the eye of the LORD {is} upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he {is} our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
{A Psalm} of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise {shall} continually {be} in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear {of it} and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard {him} , and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth around them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD {is} good: blessed {is} the man {that} trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for {there is} no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good {thing} .
Come, ye children, hearken to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man {is he that} desireth life, {and} loveth {many} days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD {are} upon the righteous, and his ears {are open} to their cry.
The face of the LORD {is} against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
{The righteous} cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD {is} nigh to them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.
Many {are} the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
{A Psalm} of David. Plead {my cause} , O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
Draw out also the spear, and stop {the way} against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I {am} thy salvation.
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase {them} .
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
For without cause they have hid for me their net {in} a pit, {which} without cause they have digged for my soul.
Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
All my bones shall say, LORD, who {is} like thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, even the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
False witnesses arose; they laid to my charge {things} that I knew not.
They rewarded me evil for good {to} the spoiling of my soul.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing {was} sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.
I behaved myself as though {he had been} my friend {or} brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth {for his} mother.
But in my adversity they rejoiced, and assembled themselves: {yes} , the abjects assembled themselves against me, and I knew {it} not; they did tear {me} , and ceased not:
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
LORD, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among many people.
Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: {neither} let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against {them that are} quiet in the land.
Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me, {and} said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen {it} .
{This} thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far from me.
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, {even} to my cause, my God and my LORD.
Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at my hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify {themselves} against me.
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yes, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness {and} of thy praise all the day long.
To the chief Musician, {A Psalm} of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, {that there is} no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity is found to be hateful.
The words of his mouth {are} iniquity and deceit: he hath ceased to be wise, {and} to do good.
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way {that is} not good; he abhorreth not evil.
Thy mercy, O LORD, {is} in the heavens; {and} thy faithfulness {reacheth} to the clouds.
Thy righteousness {is} like the great mountains; thy judgments {are} a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
How excellent {is} thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
For with thee {is} the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
O continue thy loving-kindness to them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
{A Psalm} of David. Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; {so} shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.
Commit thy way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he will bring {it} to pass.
And he will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
For yet a little while, and the wicked {shall} not {be} : yes, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it {shall} not {be} .
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
The LORD will laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, {and} to slay such as are of upright deportment.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
A little that a righteous man hath {is} better than the riches of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD {shall be} as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.
For {such as are} blessed by him shall inherit the earth; and {they that are} cursed by him shall be cut off.
The steps of a {good} man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he should fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth {him with} his hand.
I have been young, and {now} am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
{He is} ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed {is} blessed.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
The law of his God {is} in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see {it} .
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Yet he passed away, and lo, he {was} not: yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Mark the perfect {man} , and behold the upright: for the end of {that} man {is} peace.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the salvation of the righteous {is} of the LORD: {he is} their strength in the time of trouble.
And the LORD will help them, and deliver them: he will deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
For thy arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand falleth heavy upon me.
{There is} no soundness in my flesh because of thy anger; neither {is there any} rest in my bones because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
My wounds are offensive, {and} are corrupt because of my foolishness.
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
For my loins are filled with a lothsome {disease} : and {there is} no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and grievously broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
LORD, all my desire {is} before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of my eyes, that also is gone from me.
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my affliction; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
They also that seek after my life lay snares {for me} : and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
But I, as a deaf {man} , heard not; and {I was} as a dumb man {that} openeth not his mouth.
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth {are} no reproofs.
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O LORD my God.
For I said, {Hear me} , lest {otherwise} they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify {themselves} against me.
For I {am} ready to halt, and my sorrow {is} continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
But my enemies {are} lively, {and} they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow {the thing that is} good.
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, O LORD my salvation.
To the chief Musician, {even} to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, {even} from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: {then} I spoke with my tongue.
LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it {is} ; {that} I may know how frail I {am} .
Behold, thou hast made my days {as} a hand-breadth; and my age {is} as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state {is} altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up {riches} , and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope {is} in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst {it} .
Remove thy stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man {is} vanity. Selah.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I {am} a stranger with thee, {and} a sojourner, as all my fathers {were} .
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, {and} established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, {even} praise to our God: many shall see {it} , and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed {is} that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD, my God, {are} thy wonderful works {which} thou hast done, and thy thoughts {which are} toward us, they cannot be reckoned up in order to thee: {if} I would declare and speak {of them} , they are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; my ears hast thou opened: burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book {it is} written of me,
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law {is} within my heart.
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
For innumerable evils have encompassed me: my iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth me.
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say to me, Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
But I {am} poor and needy; {yet} the LORD thinketh upon me: thou {art} my help and my deliverer; make no delay, O my God.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed {is} he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in the time of trouble.
The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; {and} he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
I said, LORD, be merciful to me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
And if he cometh to see {me} , he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; {when} he goeth abroad, he telleth {it} .
All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
An evil disease, {say they} , cleaveth fast to him: and {now} that he lieth he shall rise no more.
Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, hath lifted up {his} heel against me.
But thou, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
By this I know that thou favorest me, because my enemy doth not triumph over me.
And as for me, thou upholdest me in my integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and amen.
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so my soul panteth after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, Where {is} thy God?
When I remember these {things} , I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy-day.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and {why} art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him {for} the help of his countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Deep calleth to deep at the noise of thy water-spouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
{Yet} the LORD will command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and in the night his song {shall be} with me, {and} my prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
{As} with a sword in my bones, my enemies reproach me; while they say daily to me, Where {is} thy God?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, {who is} the health of my countenance, and my God.
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
For thou {art} the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy: yes, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, {who} is the health of my countenance, and my God.
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, {what} work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
{How} thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and didst plant them; {how} thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
For they obtained not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor to them.
Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name we will tread them under that rise up against us.
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they who hate us plunder for themselves.
Thou hast given us like sheep {appointed} for food; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
Thou sellest thy people for naught, and dost not increase {thy wealth} by their price.
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are around us.
Thou makest us a by-word among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
My confusion {is} continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
All this is come upon us; yet we have not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
Though thou hast severely broke us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shades of death.
If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
Will not God search out this? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Yes, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Awake, why sleepest thou, O LORD? arise, cast {us} not off for ever.
Why hidest thou thy face, {and} forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth to the earth.
Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made concerning the king: my tongue {is} the pen of a ready writer.
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Gird thy sword upon {thy} thigh, O {most} mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness {and} righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
Thy arrows {are} sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; {by which} the people fall under thee.
Thy throne, O God, {is} for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom {is} a scepter of justice.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
All thy garments {smell} of myrrh, and aloes, {and} cassia, out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made thee glad.
Kings daughters {were} among thy honorable women: upon thy right hand stood the queen in gold of Ophir.
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thy ear; forget also thy own people, and thy father's house;
So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he {is} thy lord; and worship thou him.
And the daughter of Tyre {shall be there} with a gift; {even} the rich among the people shall entreat thy favor.
The king's daughter {is} all glorious within: her clothing {is} of wrought gold.
She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought to thee.
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God {is} our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth shall be removed, and though the mountains shall be carried into the midst of the sea;
{Though} its waters shall roar {and} be disturbed, {though} the mountains shake with the swelling of it. Selah.
{There is} a river, the streams of which shall make glad the city of God, the holy {place} of the tabernacles of the Most High.
God {is} in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, {and that} right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts {is} with us; the God of Jacob {is} our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear asunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I {am} God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts {is} with us; the God of Jacob {is} our refuge. Selah.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout to God with the voice of triumph.
For the LORD most high {is} terrible; {he is} a great King over all the earth.
He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God {is} the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
The princes of the people are assembled, {even} the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth {belong} to God: he is greatly exalted.
A Song {and} Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great {is} the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, {in} the mountain of his holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, {is} mount Zion, {on} the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
For lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
They saw {it} , {and} so they wondered; they were troubled, {and} hasted away.
Fear took hold upon them there, {and} pain, as of a woman in travail.
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
According to thy name, O God, so {is} thy praise to the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Walk about Zion, and go round her: number her towers.
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell {it} to the generation following.
For this God {is} our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide {even} to death.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all {ye} people; give ear, all {ye} inhabitants of the world:
Both low and high, rich and poor together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart {shall be} of understanding.
I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Why should I fear in the days of evil, {when} the iniquity of my heels shall encompass me?
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
None {of them} can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
(For the redemption of their soul {is} precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
That he should still live for ever, {and} not see corruption.
For he seeth {that} wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought {is} , {that} their houses {shall continue} for ever, {and} their dwelling places to all generations; they call {their} lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man {being} in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts {that} perish.
This their way {is} their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and {men} will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
Man {that is} in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts {that} perish.
A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, {even} the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising to the setting of the sun.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous around him.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Gather my saints together to me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God {is} judge himself. Selah.
Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I {am} God, {even} thy God.
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt-offerings, {to have been} continually before me.
I will take no bullock out of thy house, {nor} he-goats out of thy folds.
For every beast of the forest {is} mine, {and} the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field {are} mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world {is} mine, and the fullness thereof.
Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Offer to God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows to the Most High:
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
But to the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or {that} thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Thou sittest {and} speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thy own mother's son.
These {things} hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether {such an one} as thyself: {but} I will reprove thee, and set {them} in order before thine eyes.
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear {you} in pieces, and {there be} none to deliver.
Whoever offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth {his} deportment {aright} will I show the salvation of God.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin {is} ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done {this} evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, {and} be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden {part} thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; {that} the bones {which} thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me {with thy} free spirit.
{Then} will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted to thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: {and} my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice: else would I give {it} : thou delightest not in burnt-offering.
The sacrifices of God {are} a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thy altar.
To the chief Musician, Maschil, {A Psalm} of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said to him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God {endureth} continually.
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Thou lovest evil more than good; {and} lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O {thou} deceitful tongue.
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of {thy} dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Lo, {this is} the man {that} made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, {and} strengthened himself in his wickedness.
But I {am} like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done {it} : and I will wait on thy name; for {it is} good before thy saints.
To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, {A Psalm} of David. The fool hath said in his heart, {There is} no God. They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity: {there is} none that doeth good.
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were {any} that did understand, that did seek God.
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; {there is} none that doeth good, no, not one.
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people {as} they eat bread! they have not called upon God.
There they were in great fear, {where} no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth {against} thee: thou hast put {them} to shame, because God hath despised them.
O that the salvation of Israel {were come} out of Zion! when God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, {and} Israel shall be glad.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, {A Psalm} of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
Behold, God {is} my helper: the LORD {is} with them that uphold my soul.
He will reward evil to my enemies; cut them off in thy truth.
I will freely sacrifice to thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for {it is} good.
For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye hath seen {its desire} upon my enemies.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, {A Psalm} of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Attend to me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
My heart is severely pained within me: and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! {for then} I would fly away, and be at rest.
Lo, {then} I would wander far off, {and} remain in the wilderness. Selah.
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm {and} tempest.
Destroy, O LORD, {and} divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go about it upon its walls: mischief also and sorrow {are} in the midst of it.
Wickedness {is} in the midst of it: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
For {it was} not an enemy {that} reproached me; then I could have borne {it} : neither {was it} he that hated me {that} magnified {himself} against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
But {it was} thou, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, {and} walked to the house of God in company.
Let death seize upon them, {and} let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness {is} in their dwellings, {and} among them.
As for me, I will call upon God: and the LORD will save me.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he will hear my voice.
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle {that was} against me: for there were many with me.
God will hear and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
He hath put forth his hands against such as are at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
{The words} of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war {was} in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet {were} they drawn swords.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain thee: he will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
To the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
My enemies would daily swallow {me} up: for {they are} many that fight against me, O thou Most High.
In the time when I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts {are} against me for evil.
They assemble themselves, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
Shall they escape by iniquity; in {thy} anger cast down the people, O God.
Thou numberest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: {are they} not in thy book?
When I cry {to thee} , then shall my enemies turn back: this I know; for God {is} for me.
In God will I praise {his} word: in the LORD will I praise {his} word.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me.
Thy vows {are} upon me, O God: I will render praises to thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: {wilt thou} not {deliver} my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yes, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until {these} calamities are overpast.
I will cry to God most high; to God that performeth {all things} for me.
He shall send from heaven, and save me {from} the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
My soul {is} among lions: {and} I lie {even among} them that are set on fire, {even} the sons of men, whose teeth {are} spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; {let} thy glory {be} above all the earth.
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst of which they have fallen {themselves} . Selah.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I {myself} will awake early.
I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: I will sing to thee among the nations.
For thy mercy {is} great to the heavens, and thy truth to the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: {let} thy glory {be} above all the earth.
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
Yes, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
The wicked are estranged from their birth: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Their poison {is} like the poison of a serpent: {they are} like the deaf adder {that} stoppeth her ear;
Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
Let them melt away as waters {which} run continually: {when} he bendeth {his bow to shoot} his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
As a snail {which} melteth, let {every one of them} pass away: {like} the untimely birth of a woman, {that} they may not see the sun.
Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in {his} wrath.
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
So that a man shall say, Verily {there is} a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
For lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not {for} my transgression, nor {for} my sin, O LORD.
They run and prepare themselves without {my} fault: awake to help me, and behold.
Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords {are} in their lips: for who, {say they} , doth hear?
But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
{Because of} his strength will I wait upon thee: for God {is} my defense.
The God of my mercy will succor me: God will let me see {my desire} upon my enemies.
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O LORD our shield.
{For} the sin of their mouth {and} the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying {which} they speak.
Consume {them} in wrath, consume {them} , that they {may} not {be} : and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah.
And at evening let them return; {and} let them make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.
Let them wander up and down for food, and grudge if they are not satisfied.
But I will sing of thy power; yes, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God {is} my defense, {and} the God of my mercy.
To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal its breaches; for it shaketh.
Thou hast shown thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
That thy beloved may be delivered; save {with} thy right hand, and hear me.
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.
Gilead {is} mine, and Manasseh {is} mine; Ephraim also {is} the strength of my head; Judah {is} my lawgiver;
Moab {is} my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
Who will bring me {into} the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
{Wilt} thou not, O God, {who} hadst cast us off? and {thou} , O God, {who} didst not go out with our armies?
Give us help from trouble: for vain {is} the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he will tread down our enemies.
To the chief Musician upon Neginah, {A Psalm} of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock {that} is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, {and} a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given {me} the heritage of those that fear thy name.
Thou wilt prolong the king's life: {and} his years as many generations.
He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, {which} may preserve him.
So will I sing praise to thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him {cometh} my salvation.
He only {is} my rock and my salvation; {he is} my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall {shall ye be} , {and as} a tottering fence.
They only consult to cast {him} down from his excellence: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation {is} from him.
He only {is} my rock and my salvation: {he is} my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God {is} my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, {and} my refuge, {is} in God.
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God {is} a refuge for us. Selah.
Surely men of low degree {are} vanity, {and} men of high degree {are} a lie: to be laid in the balance, they {are} altogether {lighter} than vanity.
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart {upon them} .
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power {belongeth} to God.
Also to thee, O LORD, {belongeth} mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou {art} my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
To see thy power and thy glory, so {as} I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Because thy loving-kindness {is} better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as {with} marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise {thee} with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed, {and} meditate on thee in the {night} watches.
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
But those {that} seek my soul to destroy {it} , shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
Who whet their tongue like a sword, {and} bend {their bows to shoot} their arrows, {even} bitter words:
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage themselves {in} an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who will see them?
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward {thought} of every one {of them} , and the heart, {is} deep.
But God shall shoot at them {with} an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm {and} Song of David. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and to thee shall the vow be performed.
O thou that hearest prayer, to thee shall all flesh come.
Iniquities prevail against me: {as for} our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
Blessed {is the man whom} thou choosest, and causest to approach {to thee} , {that} he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, {even} of thy holy temple.
{By} terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; {who art} the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off {upon} the sea:
Who by his strength setteth fast the mountains; {being} girded with power:
Who stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, {which} is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges of it abundantly: thou settlest the furrows of it: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing of it.
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
They drop {upon} the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
To the chief Musician, A Song {or} Psalm. Make a joyful noise to God, all ye lands:
Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious.
Say to God, How terrible {art thou in} thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thy enemies submit themselves to thee.
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing to thee; they shall sing {to} thy name. Selah.
Come and see the works of God: {he is} terrible {in his} doing towards the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry {land} : they went through the flood on foot: there we rejoiced in him.
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Who holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou hast brought us into the net; thou hast laid affliction upon our loins.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy {place} .
I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
I will offer to thee burnt-sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
Come {and} hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear {me} :
{But} verily God hath heard {me} ; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed {be} God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm {or} Song. God be merciful to us, and bless us; {and} cause his face to shine upon us. Selah.
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
{Then} shall the earth yield her increase; {and} God, {even} our own God, will bless us.
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm {or} Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, {so} drive {them} away: as wax melteth before the fire, {so} let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yes, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Sing to God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, {is} God in his holy habitation.
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry {land} .
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: {even} Sinai itself {was moved} at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, by which thou didst confirm thy inheritance, when it was weary.
Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
The LORD gave the word: great {was} the company of those that published {it} .
Kings of armies fled apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
Though ye have lain among the pots, {yet shall ye be as} the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was {white} as snow in Salmon.
The hill of God {is as} the hill of Bashan; a high hill {as} the hill of Bashan.
Why leap ye, ye lofty hills? {this is} the hill {which} God desireth to dwell in; yes, the LORD will dwell {in it} for ever.
The chariots of God {are} twenty thousand, {even} thousands of angels: the LORD {is} among them, {as in} Sinai, in the holy {place} .
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yes, {for} the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell {among them} .
Blessed {be} the LORD, {who} daily loadeth us {with benefits} , {even} the God of our salvation. Selah.
{He that is} our God {is} the God of salvation; and to God the LORD {belong} the issues from death.
But God will wound the head of his enemies, {and} the hairy scalp of such one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
The LORD said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring {my people} again from the depths of the sea.
That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies, {and} the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
They have seen thy goings, O God; {even} the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
The singers went before, the players on instruments {followed} after; among {them were} the damsels playing with timbrels.
Bless ye God in the congregations, {even} the LORD, from the fountain of Israel.
There {is} little Benjamin {with} their ruler, the princes of Judah {and} their counsel, the princes of Zebulun, {and} the princes of Naphtali.
Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents to thee.
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, {till every one shall} submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people {that} delight in war.
Princes shall come out of Egypt; Cush shall soon stretch out her hands to God.
Sing to God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises {to} the LORD; Selah:
To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, {which were} of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, {and that} a mighty voice.
Ascribe ye strength to God: his excellence {is} over Israel, and his strength {is} in the clouds.
O God, {thou art} terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel {is} he that giveth strength and power to {his} people. Blessed {be} God.
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, {A Psalm} of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in to {my} soul.
I sink in deep mire, where {there is} no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: they that would destroy me, {being} my enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored {that} which I took not away.
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
Let not them that wait on thee, O LORD God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
I am become a stranger to my brethren, and an alien to my mother's children.
For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee have fallen upon me.
When I wept, {and chastened} my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I {was} the song of the drunkards.
But as for me, my prayer {is} to thee, O LORD, {in} an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
Let not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O LORD; for thy loving-kindness {is} good: turn to me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
Draw nigh to my soul, {and} redeem it: deliver me because of my enemies.
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: my adversaries {are} all before thee.
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked {for some} to take pity, but {there was} none; and for comforters, but I found none.
They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let their table become a snare before them: and {that which should have been} for {their} welfare, {let it become} a trap.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Pour out thy indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
Let their habitation be desolate; {and} let none dwell in their tents.
For they persecute {him} whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Add iniquity to their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
But I {am} poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
{This} also shall please the LORD better than an ox {or} bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
The humble shall see {this} , {and} be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
To the chief Musician, {A Psalm} of David to bring to remembrance. {Make haste} , O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
But I {am} poor and needy: make haste to me, O God: thou {art} my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no delay.
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thy ear to me, and save me.
Be thou my strong habitation, to which I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou {art} my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
For thou {art} my hope, O LORD God: {thou art} my trust from my youth.
By thee have I been sustained from my birth: thou art he that brought me into life: my praise {shall be} continually of thee.
I am as a wonder to many; but thou {art} my strong refuge.
Let my mouth be filled {with} thy praise {and with} thy honor all the day.
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
For my enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for {there is} none to deliver {him} .
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Let them be confounded {and} consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered {with} reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness {and} thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers {thereof} .
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, {even} of thine only.
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shown thy strength to {this} generation, {and} thy power to every one {that} is to come.
Thy righteousness also, O God, {is} very high, who hast done great things: O God, who {is} like to thee!
{Thou} , who hast shown me great and severe troubles, wilt revive me again, and wilt bring me again from the depths of the earth.
Thou wilt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, {even} thy truth, O my God: to thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought to shame, that seek my hurt.
{A Psalm} for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers {that} water the earth.
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Yes, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and {him} that hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall be their blood in his sight.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; {and} daily shall he be praised.
There shall be a handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit of it shall shake like Lebanon: and {they} of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and {men} shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Blessed {be} the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
And blessed {be} his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled {with} his glory; Amen, and amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God {is} good to Israel, {even} to such as are of a clean heart.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, {when} I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For {there are} no bands in their death: but their strength {is} firm.
They {are} not in trouble {as other} men; neither are they afflicted like {other} men.
Therefore pride encompasseth them as a chain; violence covereth them {as} a garment.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly {concerning} oppression: they speak loftily.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full {cup} are wrung out to them.
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?
Behold, these {are} the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase {in} riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart {in} vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
For all the day long have I been afflicted, and chastened every morning.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend {against} the generation of thy children.
When I thought to know this, it {was} too painful for me;
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; {then} I understood their end.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou didst cast them down into destruction.
How are they {brought} into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
As a dream when {one} awaketh; {so} , O LORD, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
So foolish {was} I, and ignorant: I was {as} a beast before thee.
Nevertheless I {am} continually with thee: thou hast held {me} by my right hand.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me {to} glory.
Whom have I in heaven {but thee} ? and {there is} none upon earth {that} I desire besides thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth: {but} God {is} the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go astray from thee.
But {it is} good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast {us} off for ever? {why} doth thy anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
Remember thy congregation, {which} thou hast purchased of old: the rod of thy inheritance, {which} thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, in which thou hast dwelt.
Lift up thy feet to the perpetual desolations; {even} all {that} the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Thy enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns {for} signs.
{A man} was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
But now they break down the carved work of it at once with axes and hammers.
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled {by casting down} the dwelling-place of thy name to the ground.
They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
We see not our signs: {there is} no more any prophet: neither {is there} among us any that knoweth how long.
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck {it} out of thy bosom.
For God {is} my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou didst break the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Thou didst break the head of leviathan in pieces, {and} didst give him {to be} food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou didst dry up mighty rivers.
The day {is} thine, the night also {is} thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Remember this, the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
O deliver not the soul of thy turtle dove to the multitude {of the wicked} : forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
Have respect to the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
Arise, O God, plead thy own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
Forget not the voice of thy enemies: the tumult of those that rise against thee increaseth continually.
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, A Psalm {or} Song of Asaph. To thee, O God, do we give thanks, {to thee} do we give thanks: for {that} thy name is near, thy wondrous works declare.
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
I said to the fools, Deal not foolishly; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
Lift not up your horn on high: speak {not with} a stiff neck.
For promotion {cometh} neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God {is} the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
For in the hand of the LORD {there is} a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs of it all the wicked of the earth shall wring {them} out, {and} drink {them} .
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; {but} the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm {or} Song of Asaph. In Judah {is} God known: his name {is} great in Israel.
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
There he broke the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
Thou {art} more glorious {and} excellent than the mountains of prey.
The stout-hearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
Thou, {even} thou, {art} to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath wilt thou restrain.
Vow, and pay to the LORD your God: let all that are about him bring presents to him that ought to be feared.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: {he is} terrible to the kings of the earth.
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried to God with my voice, {even} to God with my voice; and he gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the LORD: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
Thou holdest my eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with my own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
Will the LORD cast off for ever? and will he be favorable no more?
Is his mercy wholly gone for ever? doth {his} promise fail for evermore?
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
And I said, This {is} my infirmity: {but I will remember} the years of the right hand of the Most High.
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Thy way, O God, {is} in the sanctuary: who {is so} great a God as {our} God!
Thou {art} the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
Thou hast with {thy} arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were disturbed.
The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thy arrows also went abroad.
The voice of thy thunder {was} in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
Thy way {is} in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, {to} my law: incline your ear to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
We will not hide {them} from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
That the generation to come might know {them} , {even} the children {who} should be born; {who} should arise and declare {them} to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation {that} set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
The children of Ephraim, {being} armed, {and} carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
And forgot his works, and his wonders that he had shown them.
Marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, {in} the field of Zoan.
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as a heap.
In the day-time also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
He cleaved the rocks in the wilderness, and gave {them} drink as {out of} the great depths.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the Most High in the wilderness.
And they tempted God in their heart by asking food for their desire.
Yes, they spoke against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
Therefore the LORD heard {this} , and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Man ate angels' food: he sent them food to the full.
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
And he let {it} fall in the midst of their camp, around their habitations.
So they ate, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
They were not estranged from their desire: but while their meat {was} yet in their mouths,
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen {men} of Israel.
For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.
And they remembered that God {was} their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
Nevertheless they flattered him with their mouth, and they lied to him with their tongues.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
But he, {being} full of compassion, forgave {their} iniquity, and destroyed {them} not: yes, many a time he turned his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
For he remembered that they {were but} flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, {and} grieve him in the desert!
Yes, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
They remembered not his hand, {nor} the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave also their increase to the caterpillar, and their labor to the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost.
He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels {among them} .
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
And smote all the first-born in Egypt; the chief of {their} strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, {even to} this mountain, {which} his right hand had purchased.
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
When God heard {this} , he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent {which} he placed among men;
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
He gave over his people also to the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, {and} like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
And he smote his enemies in the hinder part: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
And he built his sanctuary like high {palaces} , like the earth which he hath established for ever.
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheep-folds:
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen have come into thy inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given {to be} food to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints, to the beasts of the earth.
Their blood have they shed like water around Jerusalem; and {there was} none to bury {them} .
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are around us.
How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling-place.
O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily succor us: for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
Why should the heathen say, Where {is} their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight {by} avenging the blood of thy servants {which is} shed.
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
And render to our neighbors seven-fold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached thee, O LORD.
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will show forth thy praise to all generations.
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest {between} the cherubim, shine forth.
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come {and} save us.
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
Thou makest us a strife to our neighbors: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Thou preparedst {room} before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
The hills were covered with the shade of it, and its boughs {were like} the goodly cedars.
She sent out her boughs to the sea, and her branches to the river.
Why hast thou {then} broke down her hedges, so that all they who pass by the way do pluck her?
The boar from the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
And the vineyard which thy right hand planted, and the branch {that} thou madest strong for thyself.
{It is} burnt with fire, {it is} cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man {whom} thou madest strong for thyself.
So will we not go back from thee: revive us, and we will call upon thy name.
Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, {A Psalm} of Asaph. Sing aloud to God our strength: make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.
Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Blow the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
For this {was} a statute for Israel, {and} a law of the God of Jacob.
This he ordained in Joseph {for} a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: {where} I heard a language {that} I understood not.
I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee; O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me;
There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
I {am} the LORD thy God who brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would not obey me.
So I gave them up to their own hearts lust: {and} they walked in their own counsels.
O that my people had hearkened to me, {and} Israel had walked in my ways!
I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves to him: and their time should have endured for ever.
He would have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock I should have satisfied thee.
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy: deliver {them} from the hand of the wicked.
They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
I have said, Ye {are} gods; and all of you {are} children of the Most High.
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou wilt inherit all nations.
A song, {or} Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
For lo, thy enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from {being} a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee,
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah.
Do to them as {to} the Midianites; as {to} Sisera, as {to} Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
{Who} perished at En-dor: they became {as} dung for the earth.
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yes, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yes, let them be put to shame, and perish:
That {men} may know that thou, whose name alone {is} JEHOVAH, {art} the most high over all the earth.
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable {are} thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longeth, and even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Yes, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, {even} thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
Blessed {are} they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed {is} the man whose strength {is} in thee; in whose heart {are} the ways {of them} .
{Who} passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, {every one of them} in Zion appeareth before God.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thy anointed.
For a day in thy courts {is} better than a thousand. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God {is} a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, blessed {is} the man that trusteth in thee.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favorable to thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath; thou hast turned {thyself} from the fierceness of thy anger.
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thy anger towards us to cease.
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thy anger to all generations?
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Surely his salvation {is} nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed {each other} .
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yes, the LORD will give {that which is} good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set {us} in the way of his steps.
A Prayer of David. Bow down thy ear, O LORD, hear me: for I {am} poor and needy.
Preserve my soul; for I {am} holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Be merciful to me, O LORD: for I cry to thee daily.
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for to thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, LORD, {art} good, and ready to forgive; and abundant in mercy to all them that call upon thee.
Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
Among the gods {there is} none like thee, O LORD; neither {are there any works} like thy works.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O LORD; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou {art} great, and doest wondrous things: thou {art} God alone.
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
For great {is} thy mercy towards me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
O God, the proud have risen against me, and the assemblies of violent {men} have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
But thou, O LORD, {art} a God full of compassion, and gracious; long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth.
O turn to me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid.
Show me a token for good; that they who hate me may see {it} , and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me.
A Psalm {or} Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation {is} in the holy mountains.
The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush; this {man} was born there.
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest himself shall establish her.
The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, {that} this {man} was born there. Selah.
As well the singers as the players on instruments {shall be there} : all my springs {are} in thee.
A Song {or} Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day {and} night before thee:
Let my prayer come before thee: incline thy ear to my cry;
For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh to the grave.
I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man {that hath} no strength:
Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted {me} with all thy waves. Selah.
Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination to them: {I am} shut up, and I cannot come forth.
My eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands to thee.
Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise {and} praise thee? Selah.
Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? {or} thy faithfulness in destruction?
Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
But to thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer come before thee.
LORD, why castest thou off my soul? {why} hidest thou thy face from me?
I {am} afflicted and ready to die from {my} youth up: {while} I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.
Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
They came around me daily like water; they encompassed me together.
Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, {and} my acquaintance into darkness.
Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness wilt thou establish in the very heavens.
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn to David my servant,
Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD; thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
For who in the heaven can be compared to the LORD? {who} among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD?
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence by all {them that are} about him.
O LORD God of hosts, who {is} a strong LORD like to thee? or to thy faithfulness around thee?
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when its waves arise, thou stillest them.
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thy enemies with thy strong arm.
The heavens {are} thine, the earth also {is} thine: {as for} the world, and the fullness of it, thou hast founded them.
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, {and} high is thy right hand.
Justice and judgment {are} the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Blessed {are} the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
For thou {art} the glory of their strength: and in thy favor our horn shall be exalted.
For the LORD {is} our defense; and the Holy One of Israel {is} our king.
Then thou didst speak in vision to thy holy one, and say, I have laid help upon {one that is} mighty; I have exalted {one} chosen out of the people.
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
With whom my hand shall be established: my arm also shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and afflict them that hate him.
But my faithfulness and my mercy {shall be} with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
He shall cry to me, Thou {art} my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
Also I will make him {my} first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.
My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
His seed also will I make {to endure} for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that hath gone out of my lips.
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie to David.
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and {as} a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thy anointed.
Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown {by casting it} to the ground.
Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
All that pass by the way plunder him: he is a reproach to his neighbors.
Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
How long, LORD, wilt thou hide thyself? for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
Remember how short my time is: why hast thou made all men in vain?
What man {is he that} liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
LORD, where {are} thy former loving-kindnesses, {which} thou didst swear to David in thy truth?
Remember, LORD, the reproach of thy servants; {how} I do bear in my bosom {the reproach of} all the mighty people;
With which thy enemies have reproached, O LORD; with which they have reproached the footsteps of thy anointed
Blessed {be} the LORD for evermore. Amen and amen.
A prayer of Moses the man of God. LORD, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou {art} God.
Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight {are but} as yesterday when it is past, and {as} a watch in the night.
Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are {as} a sleep; in the morning {they are} like grass {which} groweth.
In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
For we are consumed by thy anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret {sins} in the light of thy countenance.
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years, as a tale {that is told} .
The days of our years {are} seventy years; and if by reason of strength {they are} eighty years, yet {is} their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knoweth the power of thy anger? even according to thy fear, {so is} thy wrath.
So teach {us} to number {our} days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Return, O LORD, how long? and repent thou concerning thy servants.
O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days {in which} thou hast afflicted us, {and} the years {in which} we have seen evil.
Let thy work appear to thy servants, and thy glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yes, the work of our hands establish thou it.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, {He is} my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, {and} from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth {shall be thy} shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; {nor} for the arrow {that} flieth by day;
{Nor} for the pestilence {that} walketh in darkness; {nor} for the destruction {that} wasteth at noon-day.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; {but} it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thy eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD {who is} my refuge, {even} the Most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in {their} hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I {will be} with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
A Psalm {or} Song for the sabbath day. {It is a} good {thing} to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to thy name, O Most High.
To show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
O LORD, how great are thy works! {and} thy thoughts are very deep.
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; {it is} that they shall be destroyed for ever:
But thou, LORD, {art most} high for evermore.
For lo, thy enemies, O LORD, for lo, thy enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
But my horn shalt thou exalt like {the horn of} an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
My eye also shall see {my desire} on my enemies, {and} my ears shall hear {my desire} of the wicked that rise up against me.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
To show that the LORD {is} upright: {he is} my rock, and {there is} no unrighteousness in him.
The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, {with which} he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
Thy throne {is} established of old: thou {art} from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift their waves.
The LORD on high {is} mightier than the noise of many waters, {yes} , {than} the mighty waves of the sea.
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thy house, O LORD, for ever.
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself.
Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
{How long} shall they utter {and} speak hard things? {and} all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thy heritage.
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
Yet they say, The LORD will not see, neither will the God of Jacob regard {it} .
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and {ye} fools, when will ye be wise?
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall he not correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, {shall he not know} ?
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they {are} vanity.
Blessed {is} the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
But judgment shall return to righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? {or} who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Unless the LORD {had been} my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul.
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
They assemble themselves against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
But the LORD is my defense; and my God {is} the rock of my refuge.
And he will bring upon them their own iniquity, and will cut them off in their own wickedness; {yes} , the LORD our God will cut them off.
O come, let us sing to the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
For the LORD {is} a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand {are} the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills {is} his also.
The sea {is} his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry {land} .
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
For he {is} our God; and we {are} the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day, if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, {and} as {in} the day of temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Forty years long was I grieved with {this} generation, and said, It {is} a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
To whom I swore in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.
O sing to the LORD a new song: sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
For the LORD {is} great, and greatly to be praised: he {is} to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations {are} idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty {are} before him: strength and beauty {are} in his sanctuary.
Give to the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give to the LORD glory and strength.
Give to the LORD the glory {due to} his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Say among the heathen {that} the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he will judge the people righteously.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness of it.
Let the field be joyful, and all that {is} in it: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD:
For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness surround him: righteousness and judgment {are} the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols; worship him, all {ye} gods.
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
For thou, LORD, {art} high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
A Psalm. O sing to the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shown in the sight of the heathen.
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth towards the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Sing to the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
Let the sea roar, and the fullness of it, the world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap {their} hands: let the hills be joyful together
Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness will he judge the world, and the people with equity.
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he setteth {between} the cherubim; let the earth be moved.
The LORD {is} great in Zion; and he {is} high above all people.
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; {for} it {is} holy.
The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; {for} he {is} holy.
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance {that} he gave them.
Thou didst answer them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God {is} holy.
A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he {is} God: {it is} he {that} hath made us, and not we ourselves; {we are} his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, {and} into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, {and} bless his name.
For the LORD {is} good; his mercy {is} everlasting; and his truth {endureth} to all generations.
A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: to thee, O LORD, will I sing.
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked {person} .
Whoever privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath a high look and a proud heart I will not suffer.
My eyes {shall be} upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all who practice wickedness from the city of the LORD.
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to thee.
Hide not thy face from me in the day {when} I am in trouble; incline thy ear to me: in the day {when} I call, answer me speedily.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
My enemies reproach me all the day; {and} they that are enraged against me are sworn against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Because of thy indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
My days {are} like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance to all generations.
Thou shalt arise, {and} have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, is come.
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.
So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD: and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he will appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
For he hath looked down from the hight of his sanctuary; from heaven hath the LORD beheld the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are assembled, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years {are} throughout all generations.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens {are} the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou wilt endure: yes, all of them shall grow old like a garment; as a vesture wilt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
But thou {art} the same, and thy years will have no end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
{A Psalm} of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, {bless} his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thy iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good {things} ; {so that} thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel.
The LORD {is} merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep {his anger} for ever.
He hath not dealt with us according to our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, {so} great is his mercy towards them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, {so} far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth {his} children, {so} the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we {are} dust.
{As for} man, his days {are} as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and its place shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness to children's children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all {ye} his hosts; {ye} ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty.
Who coverest {thyself} with light as {with} a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
{Who} laid the foundations of the earth, {that} it should not be removed for ever.
Thou coveredst it with the deep as {with} a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys to the place which thou hast founded for them.
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
He sendeth the springs into the valleys, {which} run among the hills.
They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, {which} sing among the branches.
He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
And wine {that} maketh glad the heart of man, {and} oil to make {his} face to shine, and bread {which} strengtheneth man's heart.
The trees of the LORD are full {of sap} ; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
Where the birds make their nests: {as for} the stork, the fir-trees {are} her house.
The high hills {are} a refuge for the wild goats; {and} the rocks for the conies.
He appointeth the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
Thou makest darkness, and it is night: in which all the beasts of the forest do creep {forth} .
The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God.
The sun ariseth, they collect, and lay themselves down in their dens.
Man goeth forth to his work and to his labor until the evening.
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
{So is} this great and wide sea, in which {are} creeping animals innumerable, both small and great beasts.
There go the ships: {there is} that leviathan, {which} thou hast made to play therein.
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give {them} their food in due season.
{That which} thou givest them, they gather: thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good.
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Sing to him, sing psalms to him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Remember his wonderful works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
He {is} the LORD our God: his judgments {are} in all the earth.
He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word {which} he commanded to a thousand generations.
Which {covenant} he made with Abraham, and his oath to Isaac;
And confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, {and} to Israel {for} an everlasting covenant:
Saying, To thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
When they were a few men in number; yes, very few, and strangers in it.
When they went from one nation to another, from {one} kingdom to another people;
He suffered no man to do them wrong: yes, he reproved kings for their sakes;
{Saying} , Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he broke the whole staff of bread.
He sent a man before them, {even} Joseph, {who} was sold for a servant:
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
The king sent and loosed him; {even} the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
He sent Moses his servant; {and} Aaron whom he had chosen.
They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies, {and} lice in all their borders.
He gave them hail for rain, {and} flaming fire in their land.
He smote their vines also and their fig-trees; and broke the trees of their borders.
He spoke, and the locusts came, and caterpillars, and that without number,
And ate up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
He smote also all the first-born in their land, the chief of all their strength.
He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and {there was} not one feeble {person} among their tribes.
Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
{The people} asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places {like} a river.
For he remembered his holy promise, {and} Abraham his servant.
And he brought forth his people with joy, {and} his chosen with gladness:
And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labor of the people;
That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks to the LORD; for {he is} good: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? {who} can show forth all his praise?
Blessed {are} they that keep judgment, {and} he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Remember me, O LORD, with the favor {that thou bearest to} thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thy inheritance.
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked {him} at the sea, {even} at the Red sea.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated {them} , and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.
They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel:
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
They envied Moses also in the camp, {and} Aaron the saint of the LORD.
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molten image.
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
They forgot God their savior, who had done great things in Egypt;
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, {and} terrible things by the Red sea.
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy {them} .
Yes, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
But murmured in their tents, {and} hearkened not to the voice of the LORD.
Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
Thus they provoked {him} to anger with their inventions: and the plague broke in upon them.
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and {so} the plague was stayed.
And that was counted to him for righteousness to all generations for ever.
They angered {him} also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips.
They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
And they served their idols: which were a snare to them.
Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons,
And shed innocent blood, {even} the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went astray with their own inventions.
Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked {him} with their counsel; and were brought low for their iniquity.
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
He made them also to be pitied by all those that carried them captives.
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks to thy holy name, {and} to triumph in thy praise.
Blessed {be} the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
O give thanks to the LORD, for {he is} good; for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say {so} , whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, {and} he delivered them out of their distresses.
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Oh that {men} would praise the LORD {for} his goodness, and {for} his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Such as sit in darkness and in the shades of death, {being} bound in affliction and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the Most High:
Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and {there was} none to help.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, {and} he saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shades of death, and broke their bands asunder.
Oh that {men} would praise the LORD {for} his goodness, and {for} his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder.
Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; and they draw near to the gates of death.
Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered {them} from their destructions.
Oh that {men} would praise the LORD {for} his goodness, and {for} his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business on great waters;
These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up its waves.
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves {of the sea} are still.
Then are they glad because they are quiet; so he bringeth them to their desired haven.
Oh that {men} would praise the LORD {for} his goodness, and {for} his wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into dry ground;
A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it.
He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into water-springs.
And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
Again, they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, {where there is} no way.
Yet he setteth the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
The righteous shall see {it} , and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
Whoever {is} wise, and will observe these {things} , even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the LORD.
A Song {or} Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Awake, psaltery and harp: I {myself} will awake early.
I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises to thee among the nations.
For thy mercy {is} great above the heavens: and thy truth {reacheth} to the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
That thy beloved may be delivered: save {with} thy right hand, and answer me.
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.
Gilead {is} mine; Manasseh {is} mine; Ephraim also {is} the strength of my head; Judah {is} my lawgiver;
Moab {is} my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
Who will bring me into the strong city: who will lead me into Edom?
{Wilt} not {thou} , O God, {who} hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our armies?
Give us help from trouble: for vain {is} the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he will tread down our enemies.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
They encompassed me also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
For my love they are my adversaries: but I {give myself to} prayer.
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
Let his days be few; {and} let another take his office.
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek {their bread} also out of their desolate places.
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let strangers spoil his labor.
Let there be none to extend mercy to him: neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children.
Let his posterity be cut off; {and} in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
As he loved cursing, so let it come to him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
Let it be to him as the garment {which} covereth him, and for a girdle with which he is girded continually.
{Let} this {be} the reward of my adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy {is} good, deliver thou me.
For I {am} poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
I became also a reproach to them: {when} they looked upon me they shook their heads.
Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
That they may know that this {is} thy hand; {that} thou, LORD, hast done it.
Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
Let my adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yes, I will praise him among the multitude.
For he will stand at the right hand of the poor, to save {him} from those that condemn his soul.
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool.
The LORD will send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
Thy people {shall be} willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness: from the womb of the morning, thou hast the dew of thy youth.
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou {art} a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek.
The LORD at thy right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
He will judge among the heathen, he will fill {the places} with the dead bodies; he will wound the heads over many countries.
He will drink of the brook in the way: therefore will he lift up the head.
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with {my} whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and {in} the congregation.
The works of the LORD {are} great, sought out by all them that have pleasure in them.
His work {is} honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD {is} gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given food to them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath shown his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The works of his hands {are} verity and judgment; all his commandments {are} sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, {and are} done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend {is} his name.
The fear of the LORD {is} the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do {his commandments} : his praise endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed {is} the man {that} feareth the LORD, {that} delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches {shall be} in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
To the upright there ariseth light in darkness: {he is} gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man showeth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart {is} established, he shall not be afraid, until he seeth {his desire} upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.
The wicked shall see {it} , and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD'S name {is} to be praised.
The LORD {is} high above all nations, {and} his glory above the heavens.
Who {is} like to the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high.
Who humbleth {himself} to behold {the things that are} in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth the poor out of the dust, {and} lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set {him} with princes, {even} with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, {and to be} a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a foreign language;
Judah was his sanctuary, {and} Israel his dominion.
The sea saw {it} , and fled: Jordan was driven back.
The mountains skipped like rams, {and} the little hills like lambs.
What {ailed} thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, {that} thou wast driven back?
Ye mountains, {that} ye skipped like rams; {and} ye little hills, like lambs?
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
Who turned the rock {into} a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for thy mercy, {and} for thy truth's sake.
Why should the heathen say, Where {is} now their God?
But our God {is} in the heavens: he hath done whatever he pleased.
Their idols {are} silver and gold; the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
They that make them are like them; {so is} every one that trusteth in them.
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he {is} their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he {is} their help and their shield.
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he {is} their help and their shield.
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless {us} ; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless them that fear the LORD, {both} small and great.
The LORD will increase you more and more, you and your children.
Ye {are} blessed of the LORD who made heaven and earth.
The heaven, {even} the heavens, {are} the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for ever. Praise the LORD.
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice {and} my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear to me, therefore will I call upon {him} as long as I live.
The sorrows of death encompassed me, and the pains of hell came upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious {is} the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God {is} merciful.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Return to thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, {and} my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
I said in my haste, All men {are} liars.
What shall I render to the LORD {for} all his benefits towards me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD {is} the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I {am} thy servant; I {am} thy servant, the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the LORD {endureth} for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
O give thanks to the LORD; for {he is} good: because his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy {endureth} for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, {and set me} in a large place.
The LORD {is} on my side; I will not fear: what can man do to me?
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see {my desire} upon them that hate me.
{It is} better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
{It is} better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations encompassed me: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
They encompassed me; yes, they encompassed me: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They encompassed me like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast violently thrust at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD {is} my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation {is} in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD hath chastened me severely: but he hath not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter them, {and} I will praise the LORD:
This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone {which} the builders refused is become the head {stone} of the corner.
This is the LORD'S doing; it {is} wonderful in our eyes.
This {is} the day {which} the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed {be} he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
God {is} the LORD, who hath shown us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, {even} to the horns of the altar.
Thou {art} my God, and I will praise thee: {thou art} my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks to the LORD; for {he is} good: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
ALEPH. Blessed {are} the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed {are} they that keep his testimonies, {and that} seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded {us} to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
BETH. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed {to it} , according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed {art} thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as {much as} in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect to thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, {that} I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
I {am} a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing {that it hath} to thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud {that are} cursed, who do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit {and} speak against me: {but} thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also {are} my delight, {and} my counselors.
DALETH. My soul cleaveth to the dust: revive thou me according to thy word.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according to thy word.
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid {before me} .
I have adhered to thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it {to} the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yes, I shall observe it with {my} whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for in that do I delight.
Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; {and} revive thou me in thy way.
Establish thy word to thy servant, who {is devoted} to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments {are} good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: revive me in thy righteousness.
VAU. Let thy mercies come also to me, O LORD, {even} thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have with which to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift to thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
ZAIN. Remember the word to thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
This {is} my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath revived me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision: {yet} I have not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
CHETH. {Thou art} my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
I entreated thy favor with {my} whole heart: be merciful to me according to thy word.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: {but} I have not forgotten thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to thee, because of thy righteous judgments.
I {am} a companion of all {them} that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according to thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thou {art} good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me: {but} I will keep thy precepts with {my} whole heart.
Their heart is as gross as fat; {but} I delight in thy law.
{It is} good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth {is} better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments {are} right, and {that} thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word to thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come to me, that I may live: for thy law {is} my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: {but} I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn to me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I may not be ashamed.
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: {but} I hope in thy word.
My eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; {yet} I do not forget thy statutes.
How many {are} the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me, which {are} not according to thy law.
All thy commandments {are} faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Revive me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness {is} to all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
They continue this day according to thy ordinances: for all {are} thy servants.
Unless thy law {had been} my delights, I should then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast revived me.
I {am} thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: {but} I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection: {but} thy commandment {is} exceeding broad.
MEM. O how I love thy law! it {is} my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than my enemies: for they {are} ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies {are} my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words to my taste! {yes, sweeter} than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
NUN. Thy word {is} a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
I have sworn, and I will perform {it} , that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much: revive me, O LORD, according to thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will-offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
My soul {is} continually in my hand: yet I do not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they {are} the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, {even to} the end.
SAMECH. I hate {vain} thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou {art} my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Support me, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect to thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth {like} dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
AIN. I have done judgment and justice; leave me not to my oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
My eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
I {am} thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
{It is} time for {thee} , LORD, to work: {for} they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all {thy} precepts {concerning} all {things to be} right; {and} I hate every false way.
PE. Thy testimonies {are} wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful to me, as thou usest to do to those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down my eyes, because they keep not thy law.
TSADDI. Righteous {art} thou, O LORD, and upright {are} thy judgments.
Thy testimonies {that} thou hast commanded {are} righteous and very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me; because my enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thy word {is} very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
I {am} small and despised: {yet} I do not forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness {is} an everlasting righteousness, and thy law {is} the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: {yet} thy commandments {are} my delights.
The righteousness of thy testimonies {is} everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
KOPH. I cried with {my} whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried to thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I came before the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
My eyes anticipated the {night} watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice, according to thy loving-kindness: O LORD, revive me according to thy judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thou {art} near, O LORD; and all thy commandments {are} truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH. Consider my affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: revive me according to thy word.
Salvation {is} far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Great {are} thy tender mercies, O LORD: revive me according to thy judgments.
Many {are} my persecutors and my enemies; {yet} I do not decline from thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts: revive me, O LORD, according to thy loving-kindness.
Thy word {is} true {from} the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments {endureth} for ever.
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying: {but} thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgments.
Great peace have they who love thy law: and nothing shall cause them to stumble.
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and performed thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways {are} before thee.
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments {are} righteousness.
Let thy hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law {is} my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, {and} from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to thee? or what shall be done to thee, thou false tongue?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, {that} I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
I {am} for peace: but when I speak, they {are} for war.
A Song of degrees. I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help {cometh} from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD {is} thy keeper: the LORD {is} thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will preserve thee from all evil: he will preserve thy soul.
The LORD will preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for ever.
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to the testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, {and} prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, Peace {be} within thee.
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
A Song of degrees. To thee I raise my eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants {look} to the hand of their masters, {and} as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes {wait} upon the LORD our God, until he shall have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us; for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, {and} with the contempt of the proud.
A Song of degrees of David. If {it had not been} the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
If {it had not been} the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Blessed {be} the LORD, who hath not given us {as} a prey to their teeth.
Our soul hath escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare {is} broken, and we have escaped.
Our help {is} in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD, {shall be} as mount Zion, {which} cannot be removed, {but} abideth for ever.
{As} the mountains {are} round Jerusalem, so the LORD {is} around his people from henceforth even for ever.
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O LORD, to {those that} are good, and to {them that are} upright in their hearts.
As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: {but} peace {shall be} upon Israel.
A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
The LORD hath done great things for us; {of which} we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless return with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves {with him} .
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD shall build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.
{It is} vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: {for} so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Lo, children {are} a heritage of the LORD: {and} the fruit of the womb {is his} reward.
As arrows {are} in the hand of a mighty man: so {are} children of the youth.
Happy {is} the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
A Song of degrees. Blessed {is} every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: happy {shalt} thou be, and {it shall be} well with thee.
Thy wife {shall be} as a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house: thy children like olive plants around thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Yes, thou shalt see thy children's children, {and} peace upon Israel.
A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
The LORD {is} righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
Let them be as the grass {upon} the house-tops, which withereth before it groweth up:
With which the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom.
Neither do they who go by, say, The blessing of the LORD {be} upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.
A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried to thee, O LORD.
LORD, hear my voice: let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand?
But {there is} forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
My soul {waiteth} for the LORD more than they that watch for the morning: {I say} , {more than} they that watch for the morning.
Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD {there is} mercy, and with him {is} plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart {is} not haughty, nor my eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned by his mother: my soul {is} even as a weaned child.
Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.
A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David {and} all his afflictions;
How he swore to the LORD, {and} vowed to the mighty {God} of Jacob;
Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes, {or} slumber to my eyelids,
Until I find a place for the LORD, a habitation for the mighty {God} of Jacob.
Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thy anointed.
The LORD hath sworn {in} truth to David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them; their children also shall sit upon thy throne for ever.
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired {it} for his habitation.
This {is} my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There will I make the horn of David to bud, I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant {it is} for brethren to dwell together in unity!
{It is} like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, {even} Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garment;
As the dew of Hermon, {and as the dew} that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, {even} life for ever.
A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all {ye} servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands {in} the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise {him} , O ye servants of the LORD.
Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
Praise the LORD; for the LORD {is} good; sing praises to his name; for {it is} pleasant.
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob to himself, {and} Israel for his peculiar treasure.
For I know that the LORD {is} great, and {that} our LORD {is} above all gods.
Whatever the LORD pleased, {that} did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.
{Who} sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
And gave their land {for} a heritage, a heritage to Israel his people.
Thy name, O LORD, {endureth} for ever; {and} thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent concerning his servants.
The idols of the heathen {are} silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not.
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there {any} breath in their mouths.
They that make them are like them: {so is} every one that trusteth in them.
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
O give thanks to the LORD; for {he is} good: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
O give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
O give thanks to the LORD of lords: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him that smote Egypt in their first-born: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
With a strong hand, and with an out-stretched arm: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him who divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red sea: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him who led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
To him who smote great kings: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
And slew famous kings: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
And Og king of Bashan: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
And gave their land for a heritage: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
{Even} a heritage to Israel his servant: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy {endureth} for ever:
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven: for his mercy {endureth} for ever.
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.
For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us {required of us} mirth, {saying} , Sing us {one} of the songs of Zion.
How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget {her skill} .
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze {it} , raze {it} , {even} to its foundation.
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy {shall he be} , that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
Happy {shall he be} , that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
{A Psalm} of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise to thee.
I will worship towards thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
In the day when I cried thou didst answer me, {and} strengthen me {with} strength in my soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
Yes, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great {is} the glory of the LORD.
Though the LORD {is} high, yet hath he respect to the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand will save me.
The LORD will perfect {that which} concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, {endureth} for ever: forsake not the works thy own hands.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known {me} .
Thou knowest my down-sitting and my up rising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted {with} all my ways.
For {there is} not a word on my tongue, {but} lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me.
{Such} knowledge {is} too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot {attain} to it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend into heaven, thou {art} there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou {art there} .
{If} I take the wings of the morning, {and} dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yes, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light {are} both alike {to thee} .
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee: for I am fearfully {and} wonderfully made: wonderful {are} thy works; and {that} my soul well knoweth.
My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, {and} curiously formed in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thy eyes saw my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all {my members} were written, {which} in continuance were fashioned, when {as yet there was} none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
{If} I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
For they speak against thee wickedly, {and} thy enemies take {thy name} in vain.
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if {there is any} wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
Who imagine mischiefs in {their} heart; continually are they assembled {for} war.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder's poison {is} under their lips. Selah.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way side: they have set gins for me. Selah.
I said to the LORD, Thou {art} my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; {lest} they exalt themselves. Selah.
{As for} the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not again.
Let not an evil speaker be established on the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow {him} .
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, {and} the right of the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry to thee: make haste to me; give ear to my voice, when I cry to thee.
Let my prayer be set forth before thee {as} incense; {and} the lifting up of my hands {as} the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Incline not my heart to {any} evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Let the righteous smite me; {it shall be} a kindness: and let him reprove me; {it shall be} an excellent oil, {which} shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also {shall be} in their calamities.
When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth {wood} upon the earth.
But my eyes {are} to thee, O GOD the LORD: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
Keep me from the snare {which} they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I escape.
Maschil of David; a prayer when he was in the cave. I cried to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I made my supplication.
I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way in which I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
I looked on {my} right hand, and beheld, but {there was} no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
I cried to thee, O LORD: I said, Thou {art} my refuge {and} my portion in the land of the living.
Attend to my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall encompass me; for thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, {and} in thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
I remember the days of old, I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
I stretch forth my hands to thee: my soul {thirsteth} after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like them that go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way in which I should walk; for I lift up my soul to thee.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies: I flee to thee to hide me.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou {art} my God: thy spirit {is} good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
And of thy mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I {am} thy servant.
{A Psalm} of David. Blessed {be} the LORD my strength, who teacheth my hands to war, {and} my fingers to fight;
My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and {he} in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
LORD, what {is} man, that thou takest knowledge of him! {or} the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
Man is like to vanity: his days {are} as a shadow that passeth away.
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot thy arrows, and destroy them.
Send thy hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand {is} a right hand of falsehood.
I will sing a new song to thee, O God: upon a psaltery {and} an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises to thee.
{It is he} that giveth salvation to kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand {is} a right hand of falsehood:
That our sons {may be} as plants grown up in their youth; {that} our daughters {may be} as corner stones, polished {after} the similitude of a palace:
{That} our granaries {may be} full, affording all manner of store; {that} our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
{That} our oxen {may be} strong to labor; that {there be} no breaking in, nor going out; that {there be} no complaining in our streets.
Happy {is that} people, that is in such a case: {yes} , happy {is that} people, whose God {is} the LORD.
David's {Psalm} of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great {is} the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness {is} unsearchable.
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
And {men} shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
The LORD {is} gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The LORD {is} good to all: and his tender mercies {are} over all his works.
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
Thy kingdom {is} an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion {endureth} throughout all generations.
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all {those that are} bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their food in due season.
Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living creature.
The LORD {is} righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
The LORD {is} nigh to all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises to my God while I have any being.
Put not your trust in princes, {nor} in the son of man, in whom {there is} no help.
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Happy {is he} that {hath} the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope {is} in the LORD his God:
Who made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that {is} in them: who keepeth truth for ever:
Who executeth judgment for the oppressed: who giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
The LORD openeth {the eyes of} the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
The LORD will reign for ever, {even} thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD: for {it is} good to sing praises to our God; for {it is} pleasant; {and} praise is comely.
The LORD buildeth up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by {their} names.
Great {is} our LORD, and of great power: his understanding {is} infinite.
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp to our God:
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
He giveth to the beast his food, {and} to the young ravens which cry.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
He maketh peace {in} thy borders, {and} filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
He sendeth forth his commandment {upon} earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, {and} the waters flow.
He showeth his word to Jacob, his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and {as for his} judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the hights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that {are} above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
He hath also established them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping animals, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory {is} above the earth and heaven.
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; {even} of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, {and} his praise in the congregation of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and harp:
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
{Let} the high {praises} of God {be} in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, {and} punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise {man} will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels:
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
The fear of the LORD {is} the beginning of knowledge: {but} fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they {shalt be} an ornament of grace to thy head, and chains about thy neck.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
And they lay wait for their {own} blood; they lurk privily for their {own} lives.
So {are} the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; {who} taketh away the life of its owners.
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, {saying} ,
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known to you my words.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and rejected my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They rejected my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoever hearkeneth to me shall dwell in safety, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thy ear to wisdom, {and} apply thy heart to understanding;
Yes, if thou criest after knowledge, {and} liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as {for} hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth {cometh} knowledge and understanding.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: {he is} a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; {and} every good path.
When wisdom entereth into thy heart, and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
To deliver thee from the way of the evil {man} , from the man that speaketh froward things;
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice to do evil, {and} delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
Whose ways {are} crooked, and {they} froward in their paths:
To deliver thee from the strange woman, {even} from the stranger {who} flattereth with her words;
Who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
For her house inclineth to death, and her paths to the dead.
None that go to her return again, neither do they take hold of the paths of life.
That thou mayest walk in the way of good {men} , and keep the paths of the righteous.
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
My son, forget not my law; but let thy heart keep my commandments;
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thy heart:
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all thy heart; and lean not to thy own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thy increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son {in whom} he delighteth.
Happy {is} the man {that} findeth wisdom, and the man {that} getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it {is} better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain of it than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her.
Length of days {is} in her right hand; {and} in her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways {are} ways of pleasantness, and all her paths {are} peace.
She {is} a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy {is every one} that retaineth her.
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let not them depart from thy eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: but thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
For the LORD will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being taken.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do {it} .
Say not to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he hath done thee no harm.
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
For the froward {is} abomination to the LORD: but his secret {is} with the righteous.
The curse of the LORD {is} in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace to the lowly.
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
For I was my father's son, tender and only {beloved} in the sight of my mother.
He taught me also, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget {it} not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Wisdom {is} the principal thing; {therefore} get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; let {her} not go: keep her; for she {is} thy life.
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil {men} .
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause {some} to fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the just {is} as the shining light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day.
The way of the wicked {is} as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
My son, attend to my words; incline thy ear to my sayings.
Let them not depart from thy eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.
For they {are} life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it {are} the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Let thy eyes look right on, and let thy eyelids look straight before thee.
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
My son, attend to my wisdom, {and} bow thy ear to my understanding:
That thou mayest regard discretion, and {that} thy lips may keep knowledge.
For the lips of a strange woman drop {as} a honey-comb, and her mouth {is} smoother than oil:
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Lest thou shouldst ponder the path of life, her ways are movable, {that} thou canst not know {them} .
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
Lest thou give thy honor to others, and thy years to the cruel:
Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors {be} in the house of a stranger;
And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me!
I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
Drink waters out of thy own cistern, and running waters out of thy own well.
Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, {and} rivers of waters in the streets.
Let them be only thy own, and not for strangers with thee.
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
{Let her be as} the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
For the ways of man {are} before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins.
He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
My son, if thou art surety for thy friend, {if} thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
Give not sleep to thy eyes, nor slumber to thy eyelids.
Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand {of the hunter} , and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her provisions in the summer, {and} gathereth her food in the harvest.
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
{Yet} a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
Frowardness {is} in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
These six {things} doth the LORD hate: yes, seven {are} an abomination to him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.
A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief,
A false witness {that} speaketh lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Bind them continually upon thy heart, {and} tie them about thy neck.
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and {when} thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
For the commandment {is} a lamp; and the law {is} light; and reproofs of instruction {are} the way of life:
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
For by means of a lewd woman {a man is brought} to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
So he that goeth in to his neighbor's wife; whoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
{Men} do not despise a thief, if he stealeth to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
But {if} he is found, he shall restore seven-fold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
{But} whoever committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he {that} doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
For jealousy {is} the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thy eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thy heart.
Say to wisdom, Thou {art} my sister; and call understanding {thy} kinswoman:
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger {which} flattereth with her words.
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house.
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
And behold, there met him a woman {with} the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart.
(She {is} loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
Now {is she} without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
So she caught him, and kissed him, {and} with an impudent face said to him,
{I have} peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.
Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved {works} , with fine linen of Egypt.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
For the good-man {is} not at home, he is gone a long journey:
He hath taken a bag of money with him, {and} will come home at the day appointed.
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she impelled him.
He goeth after her quickly, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
Till a dart striketh through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it {is} for his life.
Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Let not thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
For she hath cast down many wounded: yes, many strong {men} have been slain by her.
Her house {is} the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors.
To you, O men, I call; and my voice {is} to the sons of man.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips {shall be} right things.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness {is} an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth {are} in righteousness; {there is} nothing froward or perverse in them.
They {are} all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
For wisdom {is} better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of ingenious inventions.
The fear of the LORD {is} to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Counsel {is} mine, and sound wisdom: I {am} understanding; I have strength.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles, {even} all the judges of the earth.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Riches and honor {are} with me; durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit {is} better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
When {there were} no depths, I was brought forth; when {there were} no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I {was} there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Then I was by him, {as} one brought up {with him} : and I was daily {his} delight, rejoicing always before him;
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights {were} with the sons of men.
Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children: for blessed {are they that} keep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed {is} the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoever findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Whoever {is} simple, let him turn in hither: {as for} him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine {which} I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked {man getteth} himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give {instruction} to a wise {man} , and he will be yet wiser: teach a just {man} , and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD {is} the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy {is} understanding.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but {if} thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear {it} .
A foolish woman {is} clamorous: {she is} simple, and knoweth nothing.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Whoever {is} simple, let him turn in hither: and {as for} him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread {eaten} in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead {are} there; {and that} her guests {are} in the depths of hell.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son {is} the heaviness of his mother.
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
He becometh poor that dealeth {with} a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
He that gathereth in summer {is} a wise son: {but} he that sleepeth in harvest {is} a son that causeth shame.
Blessings {are} upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
The memory of the just {is} blessed: but the name of the wicked shall perish.
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
The mouth of a righteous {man is} a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod {is} for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Wise {men} lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish {is} near destruction.
The rich man's wealth {is} his strong city: the destruction of the poor {is} their poverty.
The labor of the righteous {tendeth} to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
He {is in} the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
He that hideth hatred {with} lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, {is} a fool.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that restraineth his lips {is} wise.
The tongue of the just {is as} choice silver: the heart of the wicked {is} little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
{It is} as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
As the whirlwind passeth, so {is} the wicked no {more} : but the righteous {is} an everlasting foundation.
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so {is} the sluggard to them that send him.
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
The hope of the righteous {shall be} gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
The way of the LORD {is} strength to the upright: but destruction {shall be} to the workers of iniquity.
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked {speaketh} frowardness.
A false balance {is} abomination to the LORD: but a just weight {is} his delight.
{When} pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly {is} wisdom.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in {their own} naughtiness.
When a wicked man dieth, {his} expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust {men} perisheth.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
A hypocrite with {his} mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, {there is} shouting.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Where no counsel {is} , the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors {there is} safety.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart {for it} : and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong {men} retain riches.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but {he that is} cruel troubleth his own flesh.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness {shall be} a sure reward.
As righteousness {tendeth} to life: so he that pursueth evil {pursueth it} to his own death.
They that are of a froward heart {are} abomination to the LORD: but {such as are} upright in {their} way {are} his delight.
{Though} hand {join} in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
{As} a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, {so is} a fair woman who is without discretion.
The desire of the righteous {is} only good: {but} the expectation of the wicked {is} wrath.
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and {there is} that withholdeth more than is meet, but {it tendeth} to poverty.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing {shall be} upon the head of him that selleth {it} .
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool {shall be} servant to the wise of heart.
The fruit of the righteous {is} a tree of life; and he that winneth souls {is} wise.
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Whoever loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof {is} brutish.
A good {man} obtaineth favor from the LORD: but a man of wicked devices he will condemn.
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A virtuous woman {is} a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed {is} as rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous {are} right: {but} the counsels of the wicked {are} deceit.
The words of the wicked {are} to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
The wicked are overthrown, and {are} not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
{He that is} despised, and hath a servant, {is} better than he that honoreth himself, and is destitute of bread.
A righteous {man} regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked {are} cruel.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain {persons is} void of understanding.
The wicked desireth the net of evil {men} : but the root of the righteous yieldeth {fruit} .
The wicked is snared by the transgression of {his} lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of {his} mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
The way of a fool {is} right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth to counsel {is} wise.
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent {man} covereth shame.
{He that} speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness, deceit.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise {is} health.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue {is} but for a moment.
Deceit {is} in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace {is} joy.
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Lying lips {are} abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly {are} his delight.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Heaviness in the heart of man depresseth it: but a good word maketh it glad.
The righteous {is} more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
The slothful {man} roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man {is} precious.
In the way of righteousness {is} life; and {in} the path {of it there is} no death.
A wise son {heareth} his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
A man shall eat good by the fruit of {his} mouth: but the soul of the transgressors {shall eat} violence.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: {but} he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and {hath} nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
A righteous {man} hateth lying: but a wicked {man} is lothsome, and cometh to shame.
Righteousness keepeth {him that is} upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
There is that maketh himself rich, yet {hath} nothing: {there is} that maketh himself poor, yet {hath} great riches.
The ransom of a man's life {is} his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished.
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised {is} wisdom.
Wealth {gotten} by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but {when} the desire cometh, {it is} a tree of life.
Whoever despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
The law of the wise {is} a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors {is} hard.
Every prudent {man} dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open {his} folly.
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful embassador {is} health.
Poverty and shame {shall be to} him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but {it is} abomination to fools to depart from evil.
He that walketh with wise {men} shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
A good {man} leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner {is} laid up for the just.
Much food {is in} the tillage of the poor: but there is {that is} destroyed for want of judgment.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but {he that is} perverse in his ways despiseth him.
In the mouth of the foolish {is} a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Where no oxen {are} , the crib {is} clean: but much increase {is} by the strength of the ox.
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and {findeth it} not: but knowledge {is} easy to him that understandeth.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not {in him} the lips of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent {is} to understand his way: but the folly of fools {is} deceit.
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous {there is} favor.
The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end of it {are} the ways of death.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth {is} heaviness.
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man {shall be satisfied} from himself.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
A wise {man} feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
{He that is} soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor is hated even by his own neighbor: but the rich {hath} many friends.
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy {is} he.
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth {shall be} to them that devise good.
In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips {tendeth} only to penury.
The crown of the wise {is} their riches: {but} the foolishness of fools {is} folly.
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful {witness} speaketh lies.
In the fear of the LORD {is} strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD {is} a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
In the multitude of people {is} the king's honor: but in the want of people {is} the destruction of the prince.
{He that is} slow to wrath {is} of great understanding: but {he that is} hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
A sound heart {is} the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but {that which is} in the midst of fools is made known.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin {is} a reproach to any people.
The king's favor {is} towards a wise servant: but his wrath is {against} him that causeth shame.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The eyes of the LORD {are} in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
A wholesome tongue {is} a tree of life: but perverseness in it {is} a breach in the spirit.
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
In the house of the righteous {is} much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
The lips of the wise diffuse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish {doeth} not so.
The sacrifice of the wicked {is} an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright {is} his delight.
The way of the wicked {is} an abomination to the LORD; but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Correction {is} grievous to him that forsaketh the way: {and} he that hateth reproof shall die.
Hell and destruction {are} before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go to the wise.
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
All the days of the afflicted {are} evil: but he that is of a merry heart {hath} a continual feast.
Better {is} little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better {is} a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but {he that is} slow to anger appeaseth strife.
The way of the slothful {man is} as a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous {is} made plain.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Folly {is} joy to {him that is} destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word {spoken} in due season, how good {it is} !
The way of life {is} above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
The thoughts of the wicked {are} an abomination to the LORD: but {the words} of the pure {are} pleasant words.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The LORD {is} far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; {and} a good report maketh the bones fat.
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
The fear of the LORD {is} the instruction of wisdom: and before honor is humility.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, {are} from the LORD.
All the ways of a man {are} clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
Commit thy works to the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
The LORD hath made all {things} for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Every one {that is} proud in heart {is} an abomination to the LORD: {though} hand {join} in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD {men} depart from evil.
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better {is} a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
A divine sentence {is} in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
A just weight and balance {are} the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag {are} his work.
{It is} an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Righteous lips {are} the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
The wrath of a king {is as} messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
In the light of a king's countenance {is} life; and his favor {is} as a cloud of the latter rain.
How much better {is it} to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver?
The highway of the upright {is} to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Pride {goeth} before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better {it is to be} of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusteth in the LORD, happy {is} he.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Understanding {is} a well-spring of life to him that hath it: but the instruction of fools {is} folly.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Pleasant words {are as} a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end of it {is} the ways of death.
He that laboreth laboreth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips {there is} as a burning fire.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A violent man enticeth his neighbor, and leadeth him into the way {that is} not good.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
The hoary head {is} a crown of glory, {if} it is found in the way of righteousness.
{He that is} slow to anger {is} better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing of it {is} from the LORD.
Better {is} a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices {with} strife.
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
The fining-pot {is} for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: {and} a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; {and} he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Children's children {are} the crown of old men; and the glory of children {is} their fathers.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
A gift {is as} a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth {very} friends.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.
An evil {man} seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife {is as} when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both {are} abomination to the LORD.
Why {is there} a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing {he hath} no heart {to it} ?
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, {and} becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: {and} he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
He that begetteth a fool {doeth it} to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
A merry heart doeth good {like} a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A wicked {man} taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Wisdom {is} before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool {are} in the ends of the earth.
A foolish son {is} a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
Also to punish the just {is} not good, {nor} to strike princes for equity.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: {and} a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: {and} he that shutteth his lips {is esteemed} a man of understanding.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh {and} intermeddleth with all wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.
When the wicked cometh, {then} cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
The words of a man's mouth {are as} deep waters, {and} the well-spring of wisdom {as} a flowing brook.
{It is} not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
A fool's mouth {is} his destruction, and his lips {are} the snare of his soul.
The words of a tale-bearer {are} as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The rich man's wealth {is} his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor {is} humility.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth {it} , it {is} folly and shame to him.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
{He that is} first in his own cause {seemeth} just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
A brother offended {is harder to be won} than a strong city: and {their} contentions {are} like the bars of a castle.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; {and} with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Death and life {are} in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.
{Whoever} findeth a wife findeth a good {thing} , and obtaineth favor from the LORD.
The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
A man {that hath} friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend {that} sticketh closer than a brother.
Better {is} the poor that walketh in his integrity, than {he that is} perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Also, {that} the soul {be} without knowledge, {it is} not good; and he that hasteth with {his} feet sinneth.
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and {he that} speaketh lies shall not escape.
Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man {is} a friend to him that giveth gifts.
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth {them with} words, {yet} they {are} wanting {to him} .
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and {he that} speaketh lies shall perish.
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and {it is} his glory to pass over a transgression.
The king's wrath {is} as the roaring of a lion; but his favor {is} as dew upon the grass.
A foolish son {is} the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife {are} a continual dropping.
House and riches {are} the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife {is} from the LORD.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; {but} he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver {him} , yet thou must do it again.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
{There are} many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
The desire of a man {is} his kindness: and a poor man {is} better than a liar.
The fear of the LORD {tendeth} to life: and {he that hath it} shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
A slothful {man} hideth his hand in {his} bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Smite a scorner and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, {and} he will understand knowledge.
He that wasteth {his} father, {and} chaseth away {his} mother, {is} a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction {that causeth} to err from the words of knowledge.
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Wine {is} a mocker, strong drink {is} raging: and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.
The fear of a king {is} as the roaring of a lion: {whoever} provoketh him to anger sinneth {against} his own soul.
{It is} an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; {therefore} shall he beg in harvest, and {have} nothing.
Counsel in the heart of man {is like} deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
The just {man} walketh in his integrity: his children {are} blessed after him.
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Divers weights, {and} divers measures, both of them {are} alike abomination to the LORD.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work {is} pure, and whether {it is} right.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, {and} thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
{It is} naught, {it is} naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge {are} a precious jewel.
Take his garment that is surety {for} a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Bread of deceit {is} sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
{Every} purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
He that goeth about {as} a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Whoever curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
An inheritance {may be} gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end of it shall not be blessed.
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; {but} wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Divers weights {are} an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance {is} not good.
Man's goings {are} of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
{It is} a snare to the man {who} devoureth {that which is} holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
A wise king scatterreth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
The spirit of man {is} the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy.
The glory of young men {is} their strength: and the beauty of old men {is} the gray head.
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so {do} stripes the inward parts of the belly.
The king's heart {is} in the hand of the LORD, {as} the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Every way of a man {is} right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
To do justice and judgment {is} more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
A high look, and a proud heart, {and} the plowing of the wicked, {is} sin.
The thoughts of the diligent {tend} only to plenteousness; but of every one {that is} hasty only to want.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue {is} a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The way of man {is} froward and strange: but {as for} the pure, his work {is} right.
{It is} better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
The righteous {man} wisely considereth the house of the wicked: {but God} overthroweth the wicked for {their} wickedness.
Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath.
{It is} joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction {shall be} to the workers of iniquity.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
He that loveth pleasure {shall be} a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
The wicked {shall be} a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
{It is} better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
{There is} a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
A wise {man} scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of its confidence.
Whoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proud {and} haughty scorner {is} his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
The sacrifice of the wicked {is} abomination: how much more, {when} he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but {as for} the upright, he directeth his way.
{There is} no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
The horse {is} prepared against the day of battle: but safety {is} from the LORD.
A {good} name {is} rather to be chosen than great riches, {and} loving favor rather than silver and gold.
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD {is} the maker of them all.
A prudent {man} foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
By humility {and} the fear of the LORD {are} riches, and honor, and life.
Thorns {and} snares {are} in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower {is} servant to the lender.
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall end; yes, strife and reproach shall cease.
He that loveth pureness of heart, {for} the grace of his lips the king {shall be} his friend.
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
The slothful {man} saith, {There is} a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
The mouth of strange women {is} a deep pit: he that is abhorred by the LORD shall fall therein.
Foolishness {is} bound in the heart of a child; {but} the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his {riches} , {and} he that giveth to the rich, {shall} surely {come} to want.
Bow down thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.
For {it is} a pleasant thing if thou keepest them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send to thee?
Rob not the poor, because he {is} poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Be not thou {one} of them that strike hands, {or} of them that are sureties for debts.
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean {men} .
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what {is} before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou {art} a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they {are} deceitful food.
Labor not to be rich: cease from thy own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thy eyes upon that which is not? for {riches} certainly make to themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.
Eat thou not the bread of {him that hath} an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainties:
For as he thinketh in his heart, so {is} he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart {is} not with thee.
The morsel {which} thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
For their redeemer {is} mighty; he will plead their cause with thee.
Apply thy heart to instruction, and thy ears to the words of knowledge.
Withhold not correction from the child: for {if} thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
Yes, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
Let not thy heart envy sinners: but {be thou} in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
For surely there is an end; and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.
Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe {a man} with rags.
Hearken to thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and sell {it} not; {also} wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise {child} shall have joy of him.
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bore thee shall rejoice.
My son, give me thy heart, and let thy eyes observe my ways.
For a lewd woman {is} a deep ditch; and a strange woman {is} a narrow pit.
She also lieth in wait as {for} a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, {when} it moveth itself aright.
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
Thy eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall utter perverse things.
And thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
They have stricken me, {wilt thou say} , {and} I was not sick; they have beaten me, {and} I felt {it} not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established:
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man {is} strong; and a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors {there is} safety.
Wisdom {is} too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
The thought of foolishness {is} sin: and the scorner {is} an abomination to men.
{If} thou faintest in the day of adversity, thy strength {is} small.
If thou forbearest to deliver {them that are} drawn to death, and {those that are} ready to be slain;
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider {it} ? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth {not} he know {it} ? and will {not} he render to {every} man according to his works?
My son, eat thou honey, because {it is} good; and the honey-comb, {which is} sweet to thy taste:
So {shall} the knowledge of wisdom {be} to thy soul: when thou hast found {it} , then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
Lay not wait, O wicked {man} , against the dwelling of the righteous; destroy not his resting-place:
For a just {man} falleth seven times, and riseth again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Rejoice not when thy enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Lest the LORD see {it} , and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Fret not thyself because of evil {men} , neither be thou envious at the wicked;
For there shall be no reward to the evil {man} ; the candle of the wicked shall be extinguished.
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: {and} meddle not with them that are given to change:
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
These {things} also {belong} to the wise. {It is} not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
He that saith to the wicked, Thou {art} righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
But to them that rebuke {him} shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
{Every man} shall kiss {his} lips that giveth a right answer.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house.
Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; and deceive {not} with thy lips.
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, {and} nettles had covered the face of it, and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw, {and} considered {it} well: I looked upon {it} , {and} received instruction.
{Yet} a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come {as} one that traveleth; and thy want as an armed man.
These {are} also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
{It is} the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings {is} to search out a matter.
The heaven for hight, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings {is} unsearchable.
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Take away the wicked {from} before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great {men} :
For better {it is} that it be said to thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thy eyes have seen.
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest {thou know not} what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor {himself} ; and reveal not a secret to another:
Lest he that heareth {it} put thee to shame, and thy infamy turn not away.
A word fitly spoken {is like} apples of gold in pictures of silver.
{As} an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, {so is} a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, {so is} a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
Whoever boasteth himself of a false gift {is like} clouds and wind without rain.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house; lest he be weary of thee, and {so} hate thee.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor {is} a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble {is like} a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
{As} he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, {and as} vinegar upon nitre; so {is} he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
If thy enemy shall hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he shall thirst, give him water to drink:
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
The north wind driveth away rain: so {doth} an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
{It is} better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
{As} cold waters to a thirsty soul, so {is} good news from a far country.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked {is as} a turbid fountain, and a corrupt spring.
{It is} not good to eat much honey: so {for men} to search their own glory {is not} glory.
He that {hath} no rule over his own spirit {is like} a city {that is} broken down, {and} without walls.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honor is not seemly for a fool.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, {and} drinketh damage.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so {is} a parable in the mouth of fools.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so {is} he that giveth honor to a fool.
{As} a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so {is} a parable in the mouth of fools.
The great {God} that formed all {things} both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, {so} a fool returneth to his folly.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? {there is} more hope of a fool than of him.
The slothful {man} saith, {There is} a lion in the way; a lion {is} in the streets.
{As} the door turneth upon its hinges, so {doth} the slothful upon his bed.
The slothful hideth {his} hand in {his} bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard {is} wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
He that passeth by, {and} meddleth with strife {belonging} not to him, {is like} one that taketh a dog by the ears.
As a mad {man} who casteth fire-brands, arrows, and death,
So {is} the man {that} deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?
Where no wood is, {there} the fire goeth out: so where {there is} no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.
{As} coals {are} to burning coals, and wood to fire; so {is} a contentious man to kindle strife.
The words of a tale-bearer {are} as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Burning lips and a wicked heart {are like} a potsherd covered with silver dross.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for {there are} seven abominations in his heart.
{Whose} hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the {whole} congregation.
Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
A lying tongue hateth {those that are} afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Let another man praise thee, and not thy own mouth; a stranger, and not thy own lips.
A stone {is} heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath {is} heavier than both.
Wrath {is} cruel, and anger {is} outrageous; but who {is} able to stand before envy?
Open rebuke {is} better than secret love.
Faithful {are} the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy {are} deceitful.
The full soul lotheth a honey-comb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so {is} a man that wandereth from his place.
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so {doth} the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: {for} better {is} a neighbor {that is} near, than a brother far off.
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
A prudent {man} foreseeth the evil, {and} hideth himself; {but} the simple pass on, {and} are punished.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
Whoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand {which} bewrayeth {itself} .
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
He that keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit of it: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored.
As in water face {answereth} to face, so the heart of man to man.
Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
{As} the fining-pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so {is} a man to his praise.
Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, {yet} his foolishness will not depart from him.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, {and} look well to thy herds.
For riches {are} not for ever: and doth the crown {endure} to every generation?
The plant appeareth, and the tender grass showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
The lambs {are} for thy clothing, and the goats {are} the price of the field.
And {thou shalt have} goats milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and {for} maintenance for thy maidens.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
For the transgression of a land many {are} its princes: but by a man of understanding {and} knowledge the state {thereof} shall be prolonged.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor {is like} a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all {things} .
Better {is} the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than {he that is} perverse {in his} ways, though he {is} rich.
He who keepeth the law {is} a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous {men} shameth his father.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer {shall be} abomination.
Whoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good {things} in possession.
The rich man {is} wise in his own conceit; but the poor man that hath understanding searcheth him out.
When righteous {men} rejoice, {there is} great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh {them} shall have mercy.
Happy {is} the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
{As} a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; {so is} a wicked ruler over the poor people.
The prince that wanteth understanding {is} also a great oppressor: {but} he that hateth covetousness shall prolong {his} days.
A man that doeth violence to the blood of {any} person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
He who walketh uprightly shall be saved: but {he that is} perverse {in his} ways shall fall at once.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain {persons} shall have poverty enough.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
To have respect of persons {is} not good: for, for a piece of bread {that} man will transgress.
He that hasteth to be rich {hath} an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
He that rebuketh a man afterward shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.
He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, {It is} no transgression; the same {is} the companion of a destroyer.
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
He that giveth to the poor shall not want: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
He, that being often reproved hardeneth {his} neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
He that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth {his} substance.
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.
In the transgression of an evil man {there is} a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: {but} the wicked regardeth not to know {it} .
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise {men} turn away wrath.
{If} a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rageth or laugheth, {there is} no rest.
The blood-thirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise {man} keepeth it in till afterwards.
If a ruler hearkeneth to lies, all his servants {are} wicked.
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD enlighteneth both their eyes.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left {to himself} bringeth his mother to shame.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yes, he shall give delight to thy soul.
Where {there is} no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy {is} he.
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understandeth, he will not answer.
Seest thou a man {that is} hasty in his words? {there is} more hope of a fool than of him.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him at length become {his} son.
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Whoever is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and discloseth {it} not.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but he who putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler's favor; but {every} man's judgment {cometh} from the LORD.
An unjust man {is} an abomination to the just: and {he that is} upright in the way {is} abomination to the wicked.
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, {even} the prophecy: the man spoke to Ithiel, even to Ithiel and Ucal,
Surely I {am} more brutish than {any} man, and have not the understanding of a man.
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
Who hath ascended into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what {is} his name, and what {is} his son's name, if thou canst tell?
Every word of God {is} pure: he {is} a shield to them that put their trust in him.
Add thou not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Two {things} have I required of thee; deny {them} not to me before I die:
Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Lest I be full, and deny {thee} , and say, Who {is} the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God {in vain} .
Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
{There is} a generation {that} curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
{There is} a generation {that are} pure in their own eyes, and {yet} are not washed from their filthiness.
{There is} a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
{There is} a generation, whose teeth {are as} swords, and their jaw-teeth {as} knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from {among} men.
The horse-leech hath two daughters, {crying} , Give, give. There are three {things that} are never satisfied, {yes} , four {things} say not, {It is} enough:
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth {that} is not filled with water; and the fire {that} saith not, {It is} enough.
The eye {that} mocketh at {its} father, and despiseth to obey {its} mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
There are three {things which} are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I know not:
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Such {is} the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
For three {things} the earth is disquieted, and for four {which} it cannot bear:
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with food.
For an odious {woman} when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
There are four {things which are} little upon the earth, but they {are} very wise:
The ants {are} a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
The conies {are but} a feeble people, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king's palaces.
There are three {things} which go well, yes, four are comely in going:
A lion, {which is} strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
A greyhound; a he-goat also; and a king, against whom {there is} no rising up.
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, {lay} thy hand upon thy mouth.
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
{It is} not for kings, O Lemuel, {it is} not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price {is} far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise {is} good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household {are} clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing {is} silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth {it} ; and delivereth girdles to the merchant.
Strength and honor {are} her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue {is} the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband {also} , and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favor {is} deceitful, and beauty {is} vain: {but} a woman {that} feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
The words of the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem.
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all {is} vanity.
What profit hath a man of all his labor, which he taketh under the sun?
{One} generation passeth away, and {another} generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
The wind goeth towards the south, and turneth about to the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to its circuits.
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea {is} not full; to the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
All things {are} full of labor; man cannot utter {it} : the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
The thing that hath been, it {is that} which shall be; and that which is done {is} that which shall be done: and {there is} no new {thing} under the sun.
Is there {any} thing of which it may be said, See, this {is} new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
{There is} no remembrance of former {things} ; neither shall there be {any} remembrance of {things} that are to come with {those} that shall come after.
I the preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all {things} that are done under heaven: this grievous labor hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised with it.
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all {is} vanity and vexation of spirit.
{That which is} crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have come to great estate, and have gained more wisdom than all {they} that have been before me in Jerusalem: and my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
For in much wisdom {is} much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold, this also {is} vanity.
I said of laughter, {It is} mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what {was} that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards:
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all {kind of} fruits:
I made me pools of water, to water with them the wood that bringeth forth trees:
I procured {me} servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings, and of the provinces: I procured me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, {as} musical instruments, and of all sorts.
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all {was} vanity and vexation of spirit, and {there was} no profit under the sun.
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what {can} the man {do} that cometh after the king? {even} that which hath been already done.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The wise man's eyes {are} in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also {is} vanity.
For {there is} no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now {is} in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise {man} ? as the fool.
Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun {is} grievous to me: for all {is} vanity and vexation of spirit.
Yes, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it to the man that shall be after me.
And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise {man} or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have showed myself wise under the sun. This {is} also vanity.
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.
For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not labored in it, shall he leave it {for} his portion. This also {is} vanity and a great evil.
For what hath man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, in which he hath labored under the sun?
For all his days {are} sorrows, and his labor grief; yes, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
{There is} nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and {that} he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it {was} from the hand of God.
For who can eat, or who else can hasten {to it} more than I?
For {God} giveth to a man who {is} good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth toil, to gather, and to amass, that he may give to {him that is} good before God. This also {is} vanity and vexation of spirit.
To every {thing there is} a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up {that which is} planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that in which he laboreth?
I have seen the labor, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every {thing} beautiful in its time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I know that {there is} no good in them, but for {a man} to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it {is} the gift of God.
I know that, whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth {it} , that {men} should fear before him.
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, {that} wickedness {was} there; and the place of righteousness, {that} iniquity {was} there.
I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked: for {there is} a time there for every purpose and for every work.
I said in my heart concerning the state of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yes, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast: for all {is} vanity.
All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Wherefore I perceive that {there is} nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that {is} his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of {such as were} oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors {there was} power; but they had no comforter.
Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Yes, better is {he} than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This {is} also vanity and vexation of spirit.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Better {is} a handful {with} quietness, than both the hands full {with} toil and vexation of spirit.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
There is one {alone} , and {there is} not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet {is there} no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither {saith he} , For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This {is} also vanity, yes, it {is} a grievous labor.
Two {are} better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him {that is} alone when he falleth; for {he hath} not another to help him to rise.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm {alone} ?
And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
Better {is} a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also {he that is} born in his kingdom becometh poor.
I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
{There is} no end of all the people, {even} of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also {is} vanity and vexation of spirit.
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter {any} thing before God: for God {is} in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice {is known} by a multitude of words.
When thou vowest a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for {he hath} no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Better {is it} that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it {was} an error: why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
For in the multitude of dreams and many words {there are} also {divers} vanities: but fear thou God.
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perversion of judgment and justice in a province, wonder not at the matter: for {he that is} higher than the highest regardeth; and {there are} higher than they.
Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all: the king {himself} is served by the field.
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this {is} also vanity.
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good {is there} to the owners of them, saving the beholding {of them} with their eyes?
The sleep of a laboring man {is} sweet, whether he eateth little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
There is a grievous evil {which} I have seen under the sun, {namely} , riches kept for the owners of them to their hurt.
But those riches perish by evil labor: and he begetteth a son, and {there is} nothing in his hand.
As he came into the world, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
And this also {is} a grievous evil, {that} in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?
All his days also he eateth in darkness, and {he hath} much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
Behold {that} which I have seen: {it is} good and comely {for one} to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it {is} his portion.
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this {is} the gift of God.
For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth {him} in the joy of his heart.
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it {is} common among men:
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat of it, but a stranger eateth it: this {is} vanity, and it {is} an evil disease.
If a man begetteth a hundred {children} , and liveth many years, so that the days of his years are many, and his soul is not filled with good, and also {that} he hath no burial; I say, {that} an untimely birth {is} better than he.
For he cometh with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known {any thing} : this hath more rest than the other.
Yes, though he liveth a thousand years twice {told} , yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
All the labor of man {is} for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
Better {is} the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this {is} also vanity and vexation of spirit.
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it {is} man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what {is} man the better?
For who knoweth what {is} good for man in {this} life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
A good name {is} better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
{It is} better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that {is} the end of all men; and the living will lay {it} to his heart.
Sorrow {is} better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise {is} in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools {is} in the house of mirth.
{It is} better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so {is} the laughter of the fool: this also {is} vanity.
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Better {is} the end of a thing than its beginning: {and} the patient in spirit {is} better than the proud in spirit.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Say not thou, What is {the cause} that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
Wisdom {is} good with an inheritance: and {by it there is} profit to them that see the sun.
For wisdom {is} a defense, {and} money {is} a defense: but the excellence of knowledge {is} , {that} wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Consider the work of God: for who can make {that} straight, which he hath made crooked?
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
All {things} have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just {man} that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked {man} that prolongeth {his life} in his wickedness.
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time?
{It is} good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty {men} who are in the city.
For {there is} not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
For often also thy own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it {was} far from me.
That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason {of things} , and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness {and} madness:
And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart {is} snares and nets, {and} her hands {as} bands: whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, {counting} one by one, to find out the account:
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Who {is} as the wise {man} ? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
I {counsel thee} to keep the king's commandment, and {that} in regard of the oath of God.
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatever pleaseth him.
Where the word of a king {is} , {there is} power: and who may say to him, what doest thou?
He who keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man {is} great upon him.
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
{There is} no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither {hath he} power in the day of death: and {there is} no discharge in {that} war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: {there is} a time in which one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this {is} also vanity.
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Though a sinner doeth evil a hundred times, and his {days} are prolonged, yet surely I know that it will be well with them that fear God, who fear before him:
But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong {his} days, {which are} as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are just {men} , to whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked {men} , to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also {is} vanity.
Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also {there is that} neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man may labor to seek {it} out, yet he shall not find {it} ; yes further; though a wise {man} thinketh to know {it} , yet shall he not be able to find {it} .
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, {are} in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred {by} all {that is} before them.
All {things come} alike to all: {there is} one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as {is} the good, so {is} the sinner; {and} he that sweareth, as {he} that feareth an oath.
This {is} an evil among all {things} that are done under the sun, that {there is} one event to all: yes, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness {is} in their heart while they live, and after that {they go} to the dead.
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, hath now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any {thing} that is done under the sun.
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that {is} thy portion in {this} life, and in thy labor which thou takest under the sun.
Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do {it} with thy might; for {there is} no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so {are} the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it {seemed} to me great:
{There was} a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
Then said I, wisdom {is} better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom {is} despised, and his words are not heard.
The words of wise {men are} heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Wisdom {is} better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth an offensive odor: {so doth} a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom {and} honor.
A wise man's heart {is} at his right hand; but a fool's heart {is} at his left.
Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth {him} , and he saith to every one {that} he {is} a fool.
If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.
There is an evil {which} I have seen under the sun, as an error {which} proceedeth from the ruler:
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; {and} he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered by it.
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom {is} profitable to direct.
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
The words of a wise man's mouth {are} gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
The beginning of the words of his mouth {is} foolishness: and the end of his talk {is} mischievous madness.
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king {is} a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Blessed {art} thou, O land, when thy king {is} the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all {things} .
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber: for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain, they empty {themselves} upon the earth: and if the tree falleth towards the south, or towards the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
As thou knowest not what {is} the way of the spirit, {nor} the structure of the parts of conception in her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both {shall be} alike good.
Truly the light {is} sweet, and a pleasant {thing it is} for the eyes to behold the sun:
But if a man shall live many years, {and} rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh {is} vanity.
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: but know thou, that for all these {things} God will bring thee into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth {are} vanity.
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows shall be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding shall be low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low.
Also {when} they shall be afraid of {that which is} high, and fears {shall be} in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Or ever the silver cord shall be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities saith the preacher; all {is} vanity.
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge: yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, {and} set in order many proverbs.
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and {that which was} written {was} upright, {even} words of truth.
The words of the wise {are} as goads, and as nails fastened {by} the masters of assemblies, {which} are given from one shepherd.
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books {there is} no end; and much study {is} a weariness of the flesh.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this {is} the whole {duty} of man.
For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether {it is} good, or whether {it is} evil.
The song of songs, which {is} Solomon's.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love {is} better than wine.
Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name {is as} ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
I {am} black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
Look not upon me, because I {am} black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; {but} my own vineyard have I not kept.
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest {thy flock} to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
If thou knowest not, O thou fairest among women, go forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds tents.
I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
Thy cheeks are comely with rows {of jewels} , thy neck with chains {of gold} .
We will make for thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
While the king {sitteth} at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth its smell.
A bundle of myrrh {is} my well beloved to me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
My beloved {is} to me {as} a cluster of camphor in the vineyards of En-gedi.
Behold, thou {art} fair, my love; behold, thou {art} fair; thou {hast} doves' eyes.
Behold, thou {art} fair, my beloved, yes, pleasant: also our bed {is} green.
The beams of our house {are} cedar, {and} our rafters of fir.
I {am} the rose of Sharon, {and} the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so {is} my love among the daughters.
As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so {is} my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit {was} sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me {was} love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I {am} sick with love.
His left hand {is} under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not, nor awake {my} love, till he please.
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice.
My beloved spoke, and said to me, Rise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over {and} gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing {of birds} is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines {with} the tender grape give a {good} smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, {that art} in the clefts of the rock, in the secret {places} of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet {is} thy voice, and thy countenance {is} comely.
Take for us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines {have} tender grapes.
My beloved {is} mine, and I {am} his: he feedeth among the lilies.
Until the day shall break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
The watchmen that go about the city found me: {to whom I said} , Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
{It was} but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake {my} love, till he please.
Who {is} this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Behold his bed, which {is} Solomon's; sixty valiant men {are} about it, of the valiant of Israel.
They all hold swords, {being} expert in war: every man {hath} his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
He made its pillars {of} silver, the bottom of it {of} gold, the covering of it {of} purple, the midst of it being paved {with} love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Behold, thou {art} fair, my love; behold, thou {art} fair; thou {hast} doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair {is} as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.
Thy teeth {are} like a flock {of sheep that are even} shorn, which came up from the washing; all of which bear twins, and none {is} barren among them.
Thy lips {are} like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech {is} comely: thy temples {are} like a piece of pomegranate within thy locks.
Thy neck {is} like the tower of David built for an armory, on which hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.
Thy two breasts {are} like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
Until the day shall break, and the shadows flee away, I will repair to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
Thou {art} all fair, my love; {there is} no spot in thee.
Come with me from Lebanon, {my} spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, {my} spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thy eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
How fair is thy love, my sister, {my} spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thy ointments than all spices!
Thy lips, O {my} spouse, drop {as} the honey-comb; honey and milk {are} under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments {is} like the smell of Lebanon.
A garden inclosed {is} my sister, {my} spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Thy plants {are} an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphor, with spikenard,
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, {that} its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
I have come into my garden, my sister, {my} spouse: I have gathered my myrrh, with my spice; I have eaten my honey-comb with my honey; I have drank my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.
I sleep, but my heart waketh: {it is} the voice of my beloved that knocketh, {saying} , Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, {and} my locks with the drops of the night.
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?
My beloved put in his hand by the hole {of the door} , and my bowels were moved for him.
I rose up to open to my beloved: and my hands dropped {with} myrrh, and my fingers {with} sweet-smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.
I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, {and} was gone: my soul failed when he spoke: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me.
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I {am} sick with love.
What {is} thy beloved more than {another} beloved, O thou fairest among women? what {is} thy beloved more than {another} beloved, that thou dost so charge us?
My beloved {is} white and ruddy, the chief among ten thousand.
His head {is as} the most fine gold, his locks {are} bushy, {and} black as a raven.
His eyes {are} as {the eyes} of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, {and} fitly set.
His cheeks {are} as a bed of spices, {as} sweet flowers: his lips {like} lilies, dropping sweet-smelling myrrh.
His hands {are as} gold rings set with the beryl: his belly {is as} bright ivory overlaid {with} sapphires.
His legs {are as} pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance {is} as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
His mouth {is} most sweet: yes, he {is} altogether lovely. This {is} my beloved, and this {is} my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
I {am} my beloved's, and my beloved {is} mine: he feedeth among the lilies.
Thou {art} beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as {an army} with banners.
Turn away thy eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair {is} as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.
Thy teeth {are} as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, of which every one beareth twins, and {there is} not one barren among them.
As a piece of pomegranate {are} thy temples within thy locks.
There are sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
My dove, my undefiled is {but} one; she {is} the {only} one of her mother, she {is} the choice {one} of her that bore her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; {yes} , the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
Who {is} she {that} looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, {and} terrible as {an army} with banners?
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, {and} to see whether the vine flourished, {and} the pomegranates budded.
Or ere I was aware, my soul made me {like} the chariots of Amminadib.
Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs {are} like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful workman.
Thy navel {is like} a round goblet, {which} wanteth not liquor: thy belly {is like} a heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Thy two breasts {are} like two young roes {that are} twins.
Thy neck {is} as a tower of ivory; thy eyes {like} the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose {is} as the tower of Lebanon which looketh towards Damascus.
Thy head upon thee {is} like Carmel, and the hair of thy head like purple; the king {is} held in the galleries.
How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters {of grapes} .
I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of its boughs: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth {down} sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
I {am} my beloved's, and his desire {is} towards me.
Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.
Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourisheth, {whether} the tender grape appeareth, {and} the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.
The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates {are} all manner of pleasant {fruits} , new and old, {which} I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
O that thou {wert} as my brother, that was nourished at the breasts of my mother! {when} I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yes, I should not be despised.
I would lead thee, {and} bring thee into my mother's house, {who} would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.
His left hand {should be} under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not, nor awake {my} love, until he please.
Who {is} this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple-tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth {that} bore thee.
Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm: for love {is} strong as death; jealousy {is} cruel as the grave: the coals of it {are} coals of fire, {which hath} a most vehement flame.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?
If she {is} a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she {is} a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
I {am} a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favor.
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard to keepers; every one for the fruit of it was to bring a thousand {pieces} of silver.
My vineyard which {is} mine, {is} before me: thou, O Solomon, {must have} a thousand, and those that keep the fruit of it two hundred.
Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear {it} .
Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of spices.
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, {and} Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: {but} Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward.
Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot even to the head {there is} no soundness in {it} ; {but} wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
Your country {is} desolate, your cities {are} burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and {it is} desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
Except the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom; we should have been like Gomorrah.
Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
To what purpose {is} the multitude of your sacrifices to me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.
When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination to me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure; {it is} iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble to me; I am weary to bear {them} .
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yes, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Wash ye, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil;
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If ye are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken {it} .
How is the faithful city become a harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
Thy princes {are} rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come to them.
Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of my adversaries, and avenge me of my enemies:
And I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners {shall be} together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench {them} .
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, {that} the mount of the LORD'S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
And he will judge among the nations, and will rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they are replenished from the east, and {are} sooth-sayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither {is there any} end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither {is there any} end of their chariots:
Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be abased, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
For the day of the LORD of hosts {shall be} upon every {one that is} proud and lofty, and upon every {one that is} lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, {that are} high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,
And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills {that are} lifted up,
And upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall,
And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
And the loftiness of man shall be abased, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
And the idols he will utterly abolish.
And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made {each one} for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Cease ye from man, whose breath {is} in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
For behold, the LORD, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the rod and the staff, the whole support of bread, and the whole support of water,
The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,
The captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the skillful artificer, and the eloquent orator.
And I will give children {to be} their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the elder, and the base against the honorable.
When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, {saying} , Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and {let} this ruin {be} under thy hand:
In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be a healer; for in my house {is} neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings {are} against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide {it} not. Woe to their soul! for they have rewarded evil to themselves.
Say ye to the righteous, that {it shall be} well {with him} : for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Woe to the wicked! {it shall be} ill {with him} : for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
{As for} my people, children {are} their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they who lead thee cause {thee} to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.
The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders of his people, and with their princes: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor {is} in your houses.
What mean ye {that} ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the LORD God of hosts.
Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with extended necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing {as} they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will uncover their secret parts.
In that day the LORD will take away the show of {their} tinkling ornaments {about their feet} , and {their} cauls, and {their} round tires like the moon.
The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the head-bands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings,
The rings, and nose-jewels,
The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins,
The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
And it shall come to pass, {that} instead of sweet smell there shall be an offensive odor; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; {and} burning instead of beauty.
Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.
And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she {being} desolate, shall sit upon the ground.
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth {shall be} excellent and comely for them that have escaped of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, {that he that is} left in Zion, and {he that} remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, {even} every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
When the LORD shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst of it by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory {shall be} a defense.
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved concerning his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones of it, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-press therein: and he expected that it would bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
What more could have been done to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected that it would bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
And now come; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be eaten up; {and} break down the wall of it, and it shall be trodden down:
And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts {is} the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Woe to them that join house to house, {that} lay field to field, till {there is} no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
In my ears {said} the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, {even} great and fair, without inhabitant.
Yes, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of a homer shall yield an ephah.
Woe to them that rise early in the morning, {that} they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, {till} wine inflameth them!
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because {they have} no knowledge: and their honorable men {are} famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be abased.
But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
Woe to them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart-rope:
That say, Let him make speed, {and} hasten his work, that we may see {it} : and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know {it} !
Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to {them that are} wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Woe to {them that are} mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, {so} their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills trembled, and their carcasses {were} torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand {is} stretched out still.
And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from afar, and will hiss to them from the end of the earth: and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
Whose arrows {are} sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:
Their roaring {shall be} like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yes, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry {it} away safe, and none shall deliver {it} .
And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if {one} looketh to the land, behold darkness {and} sorrow, and the light is darkened in its heavens.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and elevated, and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood seraphim: each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy {is} the LORD of hosts: the whole earth {is} full of his glory.
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Then said I, Woe {is} me! for I am undone; because I {am} a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, {which} he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
And he laid {it} upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thy iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here {am} I; send me.
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities shall be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate;
And the LORD shall have removed men far away, and {there be} a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
But yet in it {shall be} a tenth, and {it} shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil-tree, and as an oak whose substance {is} in them, when they cast {their leaves} : {so} the holy seed {shall be} the substance of it.
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, {that} Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up towards Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Then said the LORD to Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear-jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;
And say to him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be faint-hearted for the two tails of these smoking fire-brands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
Let us go up against Judah, and harass it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, {even} the son of Tabeal:
Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
For the head of Syria {is} Damascus, and the head of Damascus {is} Rezin; and within sixty five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
And the head of Ephraim {is} Samaria, and the head of Samaria {is} Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Moreover, the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
Ask thee a sign from the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the hight above.
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David? {Is it} a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken by both her kings.
The LORD will bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; {even} the king of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the LORD will hiss for the fly that {is} in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that {is} in the land of Assyria.
And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
In the same day will the LORD shave with a razor that is hired, {namely} , by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk {that} they shall give, he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand pieces of silver, it shall {even} be for briers and thorns.
With arrows and with bows shall {men} come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
And {on} all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
Moreover, the LORD said to me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
And I took to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
And I went to the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
The LORD spoke also to me again, saying,
Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
Now therefore, behold, the LORD bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, {even} the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks:
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach {even} to the neck; and the extension of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God {is} with us.
For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all {them to} whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and {let} him {be} your fear, and {let} him {be} your dread.
And he will be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be insnared, and be taken.
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me {are} for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion.
And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that have familiar spirits, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek to their God? for the living to the dead?
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, {it is} because {there is} no light in them.
And they shall pass through it, distressed and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
And they shall look to the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and {they shall be} driven to darkness.
Nevertheless the dimness {shall} not {be} such as {was} in her distress, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict {her by} the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shades of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, {and} not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, {and} as {men} rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every battle of the warrior {is} with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but {this} shall be with burning {and} fuel of fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of {his} government and peace {there shall be} no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The LORD sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
And all the people shall know, {even} Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
The bricks have fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change {them into} cedars.
Therefore the LORD will set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand {is} stretched out still.
For the people turn not to him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
The ancient and honorable, he {is} the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he {is} the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause {them} to err; and {they that are} led by them {are} destroyed.
Therefore the LORD will have no joy in their young men, neither will have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one {is} a hypocrite and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand {is} stretched out still.
For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up {like} the rising of smoke.
Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: {and} they together {shall be} against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand {is} stretched out still.
Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness {which} they have prescribed;
To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and {that} they may rob the fatherless!
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation {which} shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand {is} stretched out still.
O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.
I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but {it is} in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
For he saith, {Are} not my princes altogether kings?
{Is} not Calno as Carchemish? {is} not Hamath as Arpad? {is} not Samaria as Damascus?
As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images excelled them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
Shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
Wherefore it shall come to pass, {that} when the LORD hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done {it} , and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant {man} :
And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs {that are} left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth with it? {or} shall the saw magnify itself against him that moveth it? as if the rod should shake {itself} against them that lift it, {or} as if the staff should lift {itself} , {as if it were} no wood.
Therefore will the LORD, the LORD of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he will kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.
And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them; but shall lean upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
The remnant shall return, {even} the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, {yet} a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and my anger in their destruction.
And the LORD of hosts will raise up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and {as} his rod {was} upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his furniture.
They have gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul hath fled.
Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard to Laish, O poor Anathoth.
Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand {against} the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
Behold, the LORD, the LORD of hosts will lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature {shall be} hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots:
And the spirit of the LORD will rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
And will make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he will not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
But with righteousness will he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he will smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips will he slay the wicked.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the den of the basilisk.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the LORD will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the isles of the sea.
And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not distress Ephraim.
But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
And the LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind will he shake his hand over the river, and will smite it in the seven streams, and make {men} go over dry shod.
And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; as it was to Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.
And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thy anger is turned away, and thou hast comforted me.
Behold, God {is} my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH {is} my strength and {my} song; he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing to the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this {is} known in all the earth.
Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great {is} the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice to them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for my anger, {even} them that rejoice in my highness.
The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations assembled: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, {even} the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
Howl ye; for the day of the LORD {is} at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces {shall be as} flames.
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he will destroy its sinners out of it.
For the stars of heaven and its constellations shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And I will punish the world for {their} evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one to his own land.
Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined {to them} shall fall by the sword.
Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be plundered, and their wives ravished.
Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, who shall not regard silver; and {as for} gold, they shall not delight in it.
{Their} bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellence, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
And the wild beasts of the isles shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in {their} pleasant palaces: and her time {is} near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage in which thou wast made to serve,
That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, {and} the scepter of the rulers.
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, {and} none hindereth.
The whole earth is at rest, {and} is quiet: they break forth into singing.
Yes, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, {and} the cedars of Lebanon, {saying} , Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet {thee} at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, {even} all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
All they shall speak and say to thee, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like us?
Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, {and} the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! {how} art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the hights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, {and} consider thee, {saying} , {Is} this the man that made the earth to tremble, that shook kingdoms:
{That} made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed its cities; {that} opened not the house of his prisoners?
All the kings of the nations, {even} all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, {and as} the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet.
Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, {and} slain thy people: the seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned.
Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they may not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
For I will arise against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.
I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, {so} shall it stand.
That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
This {is} the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this {is} the hand that is stretched over all the nations.
For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul {it} ? and his hand {is} stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.
Rejoice not thou, all Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit {shall be} a fiery flying serpent.
And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, all Palestina, {art} dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none {shall be} alone in his appointed times.
What shall {one} then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, {and} brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, {and} brought to silence;
He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads {shall be} baldness, {and} every beard shorn.
In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard {even} to Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous to him.
My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives {shall flee} to Zoar, a heifer of three years old: for they shall go up the ascent of Luhith with weeping; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise a cry of destruction.
For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the herb is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
Therefore the abundance they have gained, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
For the cry hath gone round the borders of Moab, her howling to Eglaim, and her howling to Beer-elim.
For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.
Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, to the mount of the daughter of Zion.
For it shall be, {that} , as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, {so} the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon-day; hide the outcasts; discover not him that wandereth.
Let my outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
We have heard of the pride of Moab; {he is} very proud: {even} of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: {but} his lies {shall} not {be} so.
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn; surely {they are} stricken.
For the fields of Heshbon languish, {and} the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down her principal plants, they have come {even} to Jazer, they wandered {through} the wilderness: her branches are extended, they have gone over the sea.
Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
And gladness is taken away, and joy from the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in {their} presses; I have made {their vintage} -shouting to cease.
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir-haresh.
And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
This {is} the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of a hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant {shall be} very small {and} feeble.
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from {being} a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The cities of Aroer {are} forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make {them} afraid.
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.
And in that day it shall come to pass, {that} the glory of Jacob shall be diminished, and the fatness of his flesh shall become lean.
And it shall be as when the harvest-man gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive-tree, two {or} three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four {or} five in the outmost fruitful branches of it, saith the LORD God of Israel.
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect {that} which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.
Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with foreign slips:
In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: {but} the harvest {shall be} a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
Woe to the multitude of many people, {who} make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, {that} make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but {God} will rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
And behold at the time of evening trouble; {and} before the morning he {is} not. This {is} the portion of them that ravage us, and the lot of them that rob us.
Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which {is} beyond the rivers of Cush:
That sendeth embassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, {saying} , Go, ye swift messengers to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation measured by line and trodden down, whose land the rivers have laid waste.
All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
For so the LORD said to me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling-place like a clear heat upon herbs, {and} like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning-hooks, and take away {and} cut down the branches.
They shall be left together to the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
In that time shall the present be brought to the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation measured by line and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.
The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, {and} kingdom against kingdom.
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst of her, and I will destroy her counsel: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the rivers shall be wasted and dried up.
And they shall turn the rivers far away; {and} the brooks of defense shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.
The paper-reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no {more} .
The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave net-works shall be confounded.
And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices {and} ponds for fish.
Surely the princes of Zoan {are} fools, the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye to Pharaoh, I {am} the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
Where {are} they? where {are} thy wise {men} ? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, {even they that are} the support of its tribes.
The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst of it: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work of it, as a drunken {man} staggereth in his vomit.
Neither shall there be {any} work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may perform.
In that day shall Egypt be like women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.
And the land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt, every one that maketh mention of it shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.
In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.
In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at its border to the LORD.
And it shall be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yes, they shall vow a vow to the LORD, and perform {it} .
And the LORD will smite Egypt: he will smite and heal {it} : and they shall return {even} to the LORD, and he will be entreated by them, and will heal them.
In that day shall there be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, {even} a blessing in the midst of the land:
Whom the LORD of hosts will bless, saying, Blessed {be} Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.
In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
At the same time spoke the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
And the LORD said, As my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years {for} a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Cush;
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Cushites captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with {their} hind-parts uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Cush their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such {is} our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; {so} it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.
A grievous vision is declared to me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler plundereth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all her sighing have I made to cease.
Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing {of it} ; I was dismayed at the seeing {of it} .
My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear to me.
Prepare the table, watch in the watch-tower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, {and} anoint the shield.
For thus hath the LORD said to me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
And he saw a chariot {with} a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, {and} a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
And he cried, a lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watch-tower in the day time, and I am set in my ward whole nights.
And behold, here cometh a chariot of men, {with} a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken to the ground.
O my threshing, and the corn of my floor; that which I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared to you.
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.
The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye traveling companies of Dedanim.
The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they met with their bread him that fled.
For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
For thus hath the LORD said to me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken {it} .
The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou hast wholly gone up to the house-tops?
Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain {men are} not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
All thy rulers have fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, {who} have fled from far.
Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labor not to comfort me, because of the devastation of the daughter of my people.
For {it is} a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
And Elam bore the quiver with chariots of men {and} horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
And it shall come to pass, {that} thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
And he uncovered the coverings of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest.
Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye collected the waters of the lower pool.
And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked to its maker, neither had respect to him that fashioned it long ago.
And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we shall die.
And it was revealed in my ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, repair to this treasurer, {even} to Shebna, who {is} over the house, {and say} ,
What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulcher here, {as} he that heweth him out a sepulcher on high, {and} that graveth a habitation for himself in a rock?
Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
With violence he will surely turn and toss thee {like} a ball into a wide country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory {shall be} the shame of thy lord's house.
And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
And I will fasten him {as} a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.
And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that {was} upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, {is} her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, {even} the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish young men, {nor} bring up virgins.
As at the report concerning Egypt, {so} shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
{Is} this your joyous {city} , whose antiquity {is} of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her far off to sojourn.
Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning {city} , whose merchants {are} princes, whose traders {are} the honorable of the earth?
The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, {and} to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.
Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: {there is} no more strength.
He stretched his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant {city} , to destroy its strong holds.
And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, {till} the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up its towers, they raised up its palaces; {and} he brought it to ruin.
Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as a harlot.
Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, for sufficient food, and for durable clothing.
Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad its inhabitants.
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him.
The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
The earth mourneth {and} fadeth away, the world languisheth {and} fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
The earth also is defiled under its inhabitants; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell in it are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merry-hearted do sigh.
The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may enter.
{There} is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, {there shall be} as the shaking of an olive-tree, {and} as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, {even} the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, {even} glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe to me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yes, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, {are} upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
And it shall come to pass, {that} he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is entirely dissolved, the earth is exceedingly moved.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression of it shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones {that are} on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
And they shall be gathered, {as} prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign on mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
O LORD, thou {art} my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful {things} ; {thy} counsels of old {are} faithfulness {and} truth.
For thou hast made of a city a heap; {of} a fortified city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee.
For thou hast been a defense to the poor, a defense to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones {is} as a storm {against} the wall.
Thou wilt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; {even} the heat with the shade of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
And on this mountain will the LORD of hosts make to all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
And he will destroy on this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail {that is} spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people will he remove from all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken {it} .
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this {is} our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
For on this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
And he will spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth {his hands} to swim: and he will bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls will he bring down, lay low, {and} bring to the ground, {even} to the dust.
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will {God} appoint {for} walls and bulwarks.
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep {him} in perfect peace, {whose} mind {is} stayed {on thee} : because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH {is} everlasting strength:
For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, {even} to the ground; he bringeth it {even} to the dust.
The foot shall tread it down, {even} the feet of the poor, {and} the steps of the needy.
The way of the just {is} uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
Yes, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of {our} soul {is} to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yes, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments {are} in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Let favor be shown to the wicked, {yet} he will not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
LORD, {when} thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: {but} they shall see, and be ashamed for {their} envy at the people; yes, the fire of thy enemies shall devour them.
LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
O LORD our God, {other} lords beside thee have had dominion over us; {but} by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
{They are} dead, they shall not live; {they are} deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation; thou art glorified: thou hadst removed {it} far to all the ends of the earth.
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer {when} thy chastening {was} upon them.
As a woman with child, {that} draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, {and} crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.
We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance on the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
Thy dead {men} shall live, {together with} my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew {is as} the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment until the indignation shall be overpast.
For behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
In that day the LORD with his keen and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he will slay the dragon that {is} in the sea.
In that day sing ye to her, A vineyard of red wine.
I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest {any} hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
Fury {is} not in me: who would set the briers {and} thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.
Or let him take hold of my strength, {that} he may make peace with me, {and} he shall make peace with me.
He shall cause them that descend from Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? {or} is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?
In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this {is} all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalk-stones that are beaten asunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
Yet the fortified city {shall be} desolate, {and} the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume its branches.
When its boughs are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come {and} set them on fire: for it {is} a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will show them no favor.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the LORD shall gather from the channel of the river to the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come who were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD on the holy mount at Jerusalem.
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty {is} a fading flower; who {are} on the head of the rich valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
Behold, the LORD hath a mighty and strong one, {which} as a tempest of hail {and} a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet.
And the glorious beauty, which {is} on the head of the rich valley, shall be a fading flower, {and} as the early fruit before the summer; which, {when} he that looketh upon it, seeth while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.
In that day will the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, to the residue of his people,
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are overwhelmed with wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble {in} judgment.
For all tables are full of vomit {and} filthiness, {so that there is} no place {clean} .
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? {them that are} weaned from the milk, {and} drawn from the breasts.
For precept {must be} upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, {and} there a little:
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
To whom he said, This {is} the rest {with which} ye may cause the weary to rest; and this {is} the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
But the word of the LORD was to them, precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, {and} there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which {is} in Jerusalem.
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we in agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not reach us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner {stone} , a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only {to} understand the report.
For the bed is shorter than that {a man} can stretch himself {on it} : and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself {in it} .
For the LORD will rise as {on} mount Perazim, he will be wroth as {in} the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the LORD God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?
When he hath made even the face of it, doth he not cast abroad the vetches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley, and the rye in their place?
For his God doth instruct him to discretion, {and} doth teach him.
For the vetches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart-wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the vetches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
Bread -{corn} is bruised; because he will not always be threshing it, nor break {it with} the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it {with} his horsemen.
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, {who} is wonderful in counsel, {and} excellent in operation.
Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city {where} David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow; and it shall be to me as Ariel.
And I will encamp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
And thou shalt be brought down, {and} shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Moreover, the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones {shall be} as chaff that passeth away: yes, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
Thou shalt be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night-vision.
It shall even be as when a hungry {man} dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and behold, {he is} faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
And the vision of all is become to you as the words of a book that is sealed, which {men} deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it {is} sealed:
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Wherefore the LORD said, Forasmuch as this people draw near {me} with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, {even} an astonishing work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise {men} shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent {men} shall be hid.
Woe to them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
{Is} it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
The meek also shall increase {their} joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the terrible one is brought to naught, and the scoffer is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught.
Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now become pale.
But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not from me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shade of Egypt!
Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shade of Egypt {your} confusion.
For his princes were at Zoan, and his embassadors came to Hanes.
They were all ashamed of a people {that} could not profit them, nor be a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence {come} the young and the old lion, the viper and flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people {that} shall not profit {them} .
For the Egyptian shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength {is} to sit still.
Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
That this {is} a rebellious people, lying children, children {that} will not hear the law of the LORD:
Who say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us right things, speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Withdraw from the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and lean upon it:
Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter's vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a piece to take fire from the hearth, or to take water out of the pit.
For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
One thousand {shall flee} at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill.
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD {is} a God of judgment: blessed {are} all they that wait for him.
For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious to thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
And {though} the LORD shall give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thy eyes shall see thy teachers:
And thy ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This {is} the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a polluted cloth; thou shalt say to it, Be gone from me.
Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, with which thou shalt sow the ground; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.
The oxen likewise and the young asses that plow the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.
And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers {and} streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven-fold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning {with} his anger, and the burden {of it is} heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and {there shall be} a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing {them} to err.
Ye shall have a song, as in the night, {when} a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come upon the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of {his} anger, and {with} the flame of a devouring fire, {with} scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, {who} smote with a rod.
And {in} every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, {it} shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.
For Tophet {is} ordained of old; yes, for the king it is prepared; he hath made {it} deep {and} large: the pile of it {is} fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because {they are} many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
Yet he also {is} wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
Now the Egyptians {are} men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
For thus hath the LORD spoken to me, As the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, {he} will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so will the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver {it} ; {and} passing over he will preserve {it} .
Turn ye to {him from} whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made to you {for} a sin.
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire {is} in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
And a man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said {to be} bountiful.
For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry; and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
The instruments also of the churl {are} evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear to my speech.
Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.
Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip ye, and make you bare, and gird {sackcloth} upon {your} loins.
They shall lament for the breasts, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns {and} briers; also, upon all the houses of joy {in} the joyous city:
Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;
Until the spirit shall be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness shall be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be counted for a forest.
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places;
When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
Blessed {are} ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth {thither} the feet of the ox and the ass.
Woe to thee that layest waste, and thou {wast} not laid waste; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to lay waste, thou shalt be wasted; {and} when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.
O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered.
And your spoil shall be gathered {like} the gathering of the caterpillar: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.
The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, {and} strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD {is} his treasure.
Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the embassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.
The highways lie waste, the way-faring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
The earth mourneth {and} languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed {and} hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off {their fruits} .
Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.
Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, {as} fire, shall devour you.
And the people shall be {as} the burnings of lime: {as} thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
Ye {that are} far off, hear what I have done; and ye {that are} near, acknowledge my might.
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
He shall dwell on high: his place of defense {shall be} the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters {shall be} sure.
Thy eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
Thy heart shall meditate terror. Where {is} the scribe? where {is} the receiver? where {is} he that counted the towers?
Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, {that thou canst} not understand.
Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thy eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle {that} shall not be taken down; not one of its stakes shall ever be removed, neither shall any of its cords be broken.
But there the glorious LORD {will be} to us a place of broad rivers {and} streams; in which shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass through it.
For the LORD {is} our judge, the LORD {is} our lawgiver, the LORD {is} our king; he will save us.
Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
And the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein {shall be} forgiven {their} iniquity.
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is in it; the world, and all things that spring from it.
For the indignation of the LORD {is} upon all nations, and {his} fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
Their slain also shall be cast out, and their ill smell shall come up from their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their hosts shall fall down, as the leaf falleth from the vine, and as a falling {fig} from the fig-tree.
For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, {and} with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be drenched with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
For {it is} the day of the LORD'S vengeance, {and} the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.
And its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone, and its land shall become burning pitch.
It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke of it shall ascend for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.
They shall call her nobles to the kingdom, but none {shall be} there, and all her princes shall be nothing.
And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in her fortresses, and it shall be a habitation of dragons, {and} a court for owls.
The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the isle, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech-owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.
Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.
It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, {and} the excellence of our God.
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Say to them {that are} of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come {with} vengeance, {even} God {with} a recompense; he will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then shall the lame {man} leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, {shall be} grass with reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it {shall be} for those: the way-faring men, though fools, shall not err {therein} .
No lion shall be there, nor {any} ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk {there} :
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, {that} Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them.
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem against king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.
Then came forth to him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, who was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.
And Rabshakeh said to them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence {is} this in which thou trustest?
I say, {sayest thou} (but {they are but} vain words) {I have} counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; on which if a man lean, it will enter his hand, and pierce it: so {is} Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
But if thou shalt say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: {is it} not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?
Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou canst on thy part set riders upon them.
How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah to Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand {it} : and speak not to us in the Jew's language, in the ears of the people that {are} on the wall.
But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? {hath he} not {sent me} to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may devour their vilest excretions with you?
Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jew's language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he will not be able to deliver you.
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, the LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make {an agreement} with me {by} a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
{Beware} lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
Where {are} the gods of Hamath and Arpad? where {are} the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
Who {are they} among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that {was} over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with {their} clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard {it} , that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
And he sent Eliakim, who {was} over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
And they said to him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day {is} a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and {there is} not strength to bring forth.
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up {thy} prayer for the remnant that is left.
So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
And Isaiah said to them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish.
And he heard it said concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard {it} , he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?
Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, {as} Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden who {were} in Telassar?
Where {is} the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying,
O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest {between} the cherubim, thou {art} the God, {even} thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
Incline thy ear, O LORD, and hear; open thy eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, who hath sent to reproach the living God.
Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they {were} no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou {art} the LORD, {even} thou only.
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:
This {is} the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, {and} derided thee; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed; and against whom hast thou exalted {thy} voice, and lifted thy eyes on high? {even} against the Holy One of Israel.
By thy servants hast thou reproached the LORD, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots have I come up to the hight of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down its tall cedars, {and} its choice fir-trees: and I will enter into the hight of its border, {and} the forest of its Carmel.
I have digged, and drank water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.
Hast thou not heard long ago, {how} I have done it; {and} of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldst be to lay waste fortified cities {into} ruinous heaps.
Therefore their inhabitants {were} of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were {as} the grass of the field, and {as} the green herb, {as} the grass on the house-tops, and {as corn} blasted before it is grown up.
But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
And this {shall be} a sign to thee, Ye shall eat {this} year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
And the remnant that hath escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape from mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a mound against it.
By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
For I will defend this city, to save it for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they {were} all dead corpses.
So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
And it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.
In those days was Hezekiah sick with a mortal disease. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thy house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
Then Hezekiah turned his face towards the wall, and prayed to the LORD,
And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done {that which is} good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add to thy days fifteen years.
And I will deliver thee and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
And this {shall be} a sign to thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which hath gone down on the sun-dial of Ahaz ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it had gone down.
The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and had recovered from his sickness:
I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
I said, I shall not see the LORD, {even} the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
My age hath departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day {even} to night wilt thou make an end of me.
I reckoned till morning, {that} , as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day {even} to night wilt thou make an end of me.
Like a crane {or} a swallow, so I chattered: I mourned as a dove: my eyes fail {with looking} upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
What shall I say? he hath both spoken to me, and himself hath done {it} : I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
O LORD, by these {things men} live, and in all these {things is} the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul {delivered it} from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can {not} celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I {do} this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
The LORD {was ready} to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay {it} for a plaster upon the boil, and he will recover.
Hezekiah also had said, What {is} the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.
And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them.
Then came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? and Hezekiah said, They have come to me from a far country, {even} from Babylon.
Then said he, What have they seen in thy house? And Hezekiah answered, All that {is} in my house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.
Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
Behold, the days come, that all that {is} in thy house, and {that} which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good {is} the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry to her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received from the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see {it} : for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken {it} .
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh {is} grass, and all its goodliness {is} as the flower of the field:
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people {is} grass.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall shall stand forever.
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, go up upon the high mountain: O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift {it} up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Behold, the LORD GOD will come with strong {hand} , and his arm will rule for him: behold, his reward {is} with him, and his work before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd: he will gather the lambs with his arm, and carry {them} in his bosom, {and} will gently lead those that are with young.
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and measured heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or {being} his counselor hath taught him?
With whom took he counsel, and {who} instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding?
Behold, the nations {are} as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
And Lebanon {is} not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts of it sufficient for a burnt-offering.
All nations before him {are} as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare to him?
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
He that {is} so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree {that} will not rot; he seeketh for himself a skillful workman to prepare a graven image {that} shall not be moved.
Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
{It is} he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants {are} as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
Yes, they shall not be planted; yes, they shall not be sown: yes, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equaled? saith the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these {things} , that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names, by the greatness of his might, for that {he} is strong in power; not one faileth.
Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over by my God?
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, {that} the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? {there is} no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to {them that have} no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew {their} strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
Keep silence before me, O isles; and let the people renew {their} strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.
Who raised up the righteous {man} from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made {him} rule over kings? he gave {them} as the dust to his sword, {and} as driven stubble to his bow.
He pursued them, {and} passed safely; {even} by the way {that} he had not gone with his feet.
Who hath wrought and done {it} , calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I {am} he.
The isles saw {it} , and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
They helped every one his neighbor; and {every one} said to his brother, Be of good courage.
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, {and} he that smootheth {with} the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It {is} ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, {that} it should not be moved.
But thou, Israel, {art} my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
{Thou} whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said to thee, Thou {art} my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Fear thou not; for I {am} with thee: be not dismayed; for I {am} thy God: I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yes, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Behold, all {they that were} incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that contend with thee shall perish.
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, {even} them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught.
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying to thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, {and} ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat {them} small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, {and} shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
{When} the poor and needy seek water, and {there is} none, {and} their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, {I} the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah-tree, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together:
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong {reasons} , saith the King of Jacob.
Let them bring {them} forth, and show us what shall happen: let them show the former things, what they {are} that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come.
Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye {are} gods: yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold {it} together.
Behold, ye {are} of nothing, and your work of naught: an abomination {is he that} chooseth you.
I have raised up {one} from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as {upon} mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay.
Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and before time, that we may say, {He is} righteous? verily, {there is} none that showeth, verily, {there is} none that declareth, verily, {there is} none that heareth your words.
The first {shall say} to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
For I beheld, and {there was} no man; even among them, and {there was} no counselor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
Behold, they {are} all vanity, their works {are} nothing: their molten images {are} wind and confusion.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, {in whom} my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment to truth.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he hath set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and expanded them; he that spread forth the earth, and that which it produceth; he that giveth breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, {and} them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.
I {am} the LORD: that {is} my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Sing to the LORD a new song, {and} his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is in it; the isles, and their inhabitants.
Let the wilderness and its cities lift up {their voice} , the villages {that} Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare his praise in the isles.
The LORD will go forth as a mighty man, he will stir up jealousy like a man of war: he will cry, yes, roar; he will prevail against his enemies.
I have long time held my peace; I have been still, {and} restrained myself: {now} will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers {to be} islands, and I will dry up the pools.
And I will bring the blind by a way {that} they knew not; I will lead them in paths {that} they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do for them, and not forsake them.
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye {are} our gods.
Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
Who {is} blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger {that} I sent? who {is} blind as {he that is} perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?
Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make {it} honorable.
But this {is} a people robbed and pillaged; {they are} all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison-houses; they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
Who among you will give ear to this? {who} will hearken, and hear for the time to come?
Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient to his law.
Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire around, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid {it} not to heart.
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called {thee} by thy name; thou {art} mine.
When thou passest through the waters, I {will be} with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
For I {am} the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior: I gave Egypt {for} thy ransom, Cush and Seba for thee.
Since thou hast been precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
Fear not: for I {am} with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
{Even} every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; verily, I have made him.
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
Let all the nations be collected, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, {It is} truth.
Ye {are} my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I {am} he: before me there was no god formed, neither shall there be after me.
I, {even} I, {am} the LORD; and besides me {there is} no savior.
I have declared, and have saved, and I have shown, when {there was} no strange {god} among you: therefore ye {are} my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I {am} God.
Yes, before the day {was} , I {am} he; and {there is} none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall hinder it?
Thus saith the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry {is} in the ships.
I {am} the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
Thus saith the LORD, who maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Who bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, {and} rivers in the desert.
The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, {and} rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.
But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt-offerings; neither hast thou honored me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.
Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thy iniquities.
I, {even} I, {am} he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.
Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.
Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, {who} will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy offspring:
And they shall spring up {as} among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
One shall say, I {am} the LORD'S; and another shall call {himself} by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe {with} his hand to the LORD, and surname {himself} by the name of Israel.
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I {am} the first, and I {am} the last; and besides me {there is} no God.
And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them show to them.
Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared {it} ? ye {are} even my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? verily {there is} no God; I know not {any} .
They that make a graven image {are} all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they {are} their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
Who hath formed a god, or cast a graven image {that} is profitable for nothing?
Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they {are} of men: let them all be assembled, let them stand up; {yet} they shall fear, {and} they shall be ashamed together.
The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yes, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
The carpenter stretcheth out {his} rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
He heweth down cedars for himself, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish {it} .
Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take of it, and warm himself; indeed he kindleth {it} , and baketh bread; yes, he maketh a god, and worshipeth {it} ; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down to it.
He burneth part of it in the fire; with part of it he eateth flesh; he roasteth meat, and is satisfied: yes, he warmeth {himself} , and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
And the residue of it he maketh a god, {even} his graven image: he falleth down to it, and worshipeth {it} , and prayeth to it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou {art} my god.
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; {and} their hearts, that they cannot understand.
And none considereth in his heart, neither {is there} knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; I have also baked bread upon its coals; I have roasted flesh, and eaten {it} : and shall I make the residue of it an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, {Is there} not a lie in my right hand?
Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou {art} my servant: I have formed thee; thou {art} my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten by me.
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return to me; for I have redeemed thee.
Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done {it} : shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
Thus saith the LORD thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, {I am} the LORD that maketh all {things} ; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself:
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise {men} backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up her decayed places:
That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
That saith of Cyrus, {He is} my shepherd, and {he} shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates, and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut asunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, who call {thee} by thy name, {am} the God of Israel.
For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me:
I {am} the LORD, and {there is} none else, {there is} no God besides me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that {there is} none besides me. I {am} the LORD, and {there is} none else.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these {things} .
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
Woe to him that contendeth with his Maker! {Let} the potsherd {contend} with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Woe to him that saith to {his} father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, {even} my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
Thus saith the LORD, The labor of Egypt, and merchandise of Cush and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down to thee, they shall make supplication to thee, {saying} , Surely God {is} in thee; and {there is} none else, {there is} no God.
Verily thou {art} a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together {that are} makers of idols.
{But} Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I {am} the LORD; and {there is} none else.
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I have not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye {that have} escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray to a god {that} cannot save.
Tell ye, and bring {them} near; yes, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? {who} hath told it from that time? {have} not I the LORD? and {there is} no God else besides me; a just God and a Savior; {there is} none besides me.
Look to me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I {am} God, and {there is} none else.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth {in} righteousness, and shall not return, That to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Surely, shall {one} say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: {even} to him shall {men} come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your loads {were} heavy; {they were} a burden to the weary {beast} .
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity.
Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne {by me} from the birth, which are carried from the womb:
And {even} to {your} old age I {am} he; and {even} to hoary hairs will I carry {you} : I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver {you} .
To whom will ye liken me, and make {me} equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, {and} hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yes, they worship.
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yes, {one} shall cry to him, yet he cannot answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Remember this, and show yourselves men: bring {it} again to mind, O ye transgressors.
Remember the former things of old: for I {am} God, and {there is} none else; I {am} God, and {there is} none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times {the things} that are not {yet} done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken {it} , I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed {it} , I will also perform it.
Hearken to me, ye stout-hearted, that {are} far from righteousness:
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not delay: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: {there is} no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet {thee as} a man.
{As for} our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts {is} his name, the Holy One of Israel.
Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
I was wroth with my people, I have polluted my inheritance, and given them into thy hand: thou didst show them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: {so} that thou didst not lay these {things} to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
Therefore hear now this, {thou that art} given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thy heart, I {am} , and none else besides me; I shall not sit {as} a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
But these two {things} shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection, for the multitude of thy sorceries, {and} for the great abundance of thy enchantments.
For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thy heart, I {am} , and none else besides me.
Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, {which} thou shalt not know.
Stand now with thy enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast labored from thy youth; if thou shalt be able to profit, if thou mayest prevail.
Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from {these things} that shall come upon thee.
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: {there shall} not {be} a coal to warm at, {nor} fire to sit before it.
Thus shall they be to thee with whom thou hast labored, {even} thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, {but} not in truth, nor in righteousness.
For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts {is} his name.
I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth from my mouth, and I showed them; I did {them} suddenly, and they came to pass.
Because I knew that thou {art} obstinate, and thy neck {is} an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
I have even from the beginning declared {it} to thee; before it came to pass I showed {it} thee: lest thou shouldst say, My idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare {it} ? I have showed ye new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardst them not; lest thou shouldst say, Behold, I knew them.
Yes, thou heardst not; yes, thou knewest not; yes, from that time {that} thy ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
For my name's sake will I defer my anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
For my own sake, {even} for my own sake, will I do {it} : for how should {my name} be profaned? and I will not give my glory to another.
Hearken to me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I {am} he; I {am} the first, I also {am} the last.
My hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: {when} I call to them, they stand up together.
All ye, assemble yourselves and hear; who among them hath declared these {things} ? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm {shall be on} the Chaldeans.
I, {even} I, have spoken, yes, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
Come ye near to me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there {am} I: and now the LORD God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I {am} the LORD thy God, who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way {that} thou shouldst go.
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like its gravel; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
Go ye forth from Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it {even} to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
And they thirsted not, {when} he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he cleaved the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
{There is} no peace, saith the LORD, to the wicked.
Listen to me, O Isles; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shade of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
And said to me, Thou {art} my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain; {yet} surely my judgment {is} with the LORD, and my work with my God.
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb {to be} his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to the end of the earth.
Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, {and} his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, {and} the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages:
That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that {are} in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures {shall be} in all high places.
They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
Behold, these shall come from far: and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my LORD hath forgotten me.
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of {my} hands; thy walls {are} continually before me.
Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste, shall go forth from thee.
Lift up thy eyes around, and behold: all these assemble themselves, {and} come to thee. {As} I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them {on thee} , as a bride {doeth} .
For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thy ears, The place {is} too narrow for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
Then shalt thou say in thy heart, Who hath begotten these for me, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where {have} they {been} ?
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in {their} arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon {their} shoulders.
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow to thee with {their} face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD {am} thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
Thus saith the LORD, Where {is} the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors {is it} to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Why, when I came, {was there} no man? when I called, {was there} none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish becometh putrid, because {there is} no water, and dieth for thirst.
I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to {him that is} weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth my ear to hear as the learned.
The LORD GOD opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
{He is} near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together; who {is} my adversary? let him come near to me.
Behold the Lord GOD will help me; who {is} he {that} shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
Who {is} among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh {in} darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and rely upon his God.
Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that encompass {yourselves} with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks {that} ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look to the rock {whence} ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit {whence} ye are digged.
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah {that} bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
For the LORD will comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Hearken to me, my people; and give ear to me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
My righteousness {is} near; my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on my arm shall they trust.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall become old like a garment, and its inhabitants shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Hearken to me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart {is} my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
For the moth shall eat them like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. {Art} thou not that which hath cut Rahab, {and} wounded the dragon?
{Art} thou not that which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy {shall be} upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
I, {even} I, {am} he that comforteth you: who {art} thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man {that} shall die, and of the son of man {who} shall be made {as} grass;
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where {is} the fury of the oppressor?
The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
But I {am} the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts {is} his name.
And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shade of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, Thou {art} my people.
Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drank at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drank the dregs of the cup of trembling, {and} wrung {them} out.
{There is} none to guide her among all the sons {whom} she hath brought forth; neither {is there any} that taketh her by the hand of all the sons {that} she hath brought up.
These two {things} have come to thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
Thus saith thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God {that} pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling, {even} the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; who have said to thy soul, Prostrate thyself, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Shake thyself from the dust; arise, {and} sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for naught; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down formerly into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for naught? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day {is} blasphemed.
Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore {they shall know} in that day that I {am} he that doth speak: behold, {it is} I.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith to Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean {thing} ; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel {will be} your rear-ward.
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for {that} which had not been told them shall they see; and {that} which they had not heard shall they consider.
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, {there is} no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were {our} faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he {was} wounded for our transgression, {he was} bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace {was} upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off from the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death: because he had done no violence, neither {was any} deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put {him} to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see {his} seed, he shall prolong {his} days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, {and} shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide to him {a portion} with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Sing, O barren, thou {that} didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou {that} didst not travail with child: for more {are} the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them extend the curtains of thy habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
For thy maker {is} thy husband; the LORD of hosts {is} his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
For this {is as} the waters of Noah to me: for {as} I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more overflow the earth; so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Oh thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, {and} not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
And all thy children {shall be} taught from the LORD; and great {shall be} the peace of thy children.
In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Behold, they shall surely assemble {but} not by me: whoever shall assemble against thee shall fall for thy sake.
Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue {that} shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This {is} the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness {is} from me, saith the LORD.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do ye spend money for {that which is} not bread? and your labor for {that which} satisfieth not? hearken diligently to me, and eat ye {that which is} good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come to me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, {even} the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him {for} a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Behold, thou shalt call a nation {that} thou knowest not, and nations {that} knew not thee shall run to thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee.
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts {are} not your thoughts, neither {are} your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that proceedeth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper {in the thing} for which I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap {their} hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign {that} shall not be cut off.
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation {is} near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed {is} the man {that} doeth this, and the son of man {that} layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I {am} a dry tree.
For thus saith the LORD to the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose {the things} that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even to them will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices {shall be} accepted upon my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.
The Lord GOD who gathereth the outcasts of Israel, Yet will I gather {others} to him, besides those that are gathered to him.
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yes, all ye beasts in the forest.
His watchmen {are} blind: they are all ignorant, they {are} all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Yes, {they are} greedy dogs {which} can never have enough, and they {are} shepherds {that} cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Come ye, {say they} , I will bring wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to-morrow shall be as this day, {and} much more abundant.
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth {it} to heart: and merciful men {are} taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil {to come} .
He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, {each one} walking {in} his uprightness.
But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the lewd.
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, {and} thrust out the tongue? {are} ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
Inflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the cliffs of the rocks?
Among the smooth {stones} of the stream {is} thy portion; they, they {are} thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink-offering, thou hast offered a meat-offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither thou wentest up to offer sacrifice.
Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast uncovered {thyself to another} than me, and hast gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee {a covenant} with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest {it} .
And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase {thyself even} to hell.
Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; {yet} saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thy hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.
And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid {it} to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take {them} : but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name {is} Holy; I dwell in the high and holy {place} , with him also {that is} of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit would fail before me, and the souls {which} I have made.
For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to {him that is} far off, and to {him that is} near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
But the wicked {are} like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
{There is} no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
Why have we fasted, {say they} , and thou seest not? {why} have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as {ye do this} day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? {is it} to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes {under him} ? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
{Is} not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
{Is it} not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou shouldst bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou shouldst cover him; and that thou shouldst not hide thyself from thy own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rear-ward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I {am} . If thou shalt take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And {if} thou shalt draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness {be} as the noon day:
And the LORD will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drouth, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
And {they that shall be} of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
If thou shalt turn away thy foot from the sabbath, {from} doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thy own ways, nor finding thy own pleasure, nor speaking {thy own} words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken {it} .
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid {his} face from you, that he will not hear.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath uttered perverseness.
None calleth for justice, nor {any} pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
They hatch cockatrice eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works {are} works of iniquity, and the act of violence {is} in their hands.
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts {are} thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction {are} in their paths.
The way of peace they know not; and {there is} no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, {but} we walk in darkness.
We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if {we had} no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; {we are} in desolate places as dead {men} .
We all roar like bears, and mourn bitterly like doves: we look for judgment, but {there is} none; for salvation, {but} it is far from us.
For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions {are} with us; and {as for} our iniquities, we know them;
In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Yes, truth faileth; and he {that} departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw {it} , and it displeased him that {there was} no judgment.
And he saw that {there was} no man, and wondered that {there was} no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
For he put on righteousness as a breast-plate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance {for} clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
According to {their} deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the isles he will repay recompense.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
And the Redeemer will come to Zion, and to them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
As for me, this {is} my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that {is} upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD will arise upon thee, and his glory will be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Lift up thy eyes around, and see: all they assemble themselves, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at {thy} side.
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thy heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted to thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come to thee.
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD.
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to thee: they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
Who {are} these {that} fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows?
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, to the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister to thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee.
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that {men} may bring to thee the forces of the Gentiles, and {that} their kings {may be} brought.
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yes, {those} nations shall be utterly wasted.
The glory of Lebanon shall come to thee, the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending to thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through {thee} , I will make thee an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations.
Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD {am} thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob.
For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thy exactors righteousness.
Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to thee: but the LORD will be to thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD will be thy everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
Thy people also {shall be} all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in its time.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD {is} upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to publish good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to {them that are} bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien {shall be} your plowmen and your vine-dressers.
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: {men} shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
For your shame {ye shall have} double; and {for} confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be to them.
For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt-offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they {are} the seed {which} the LORD hath blessed.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh {himself} with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth {herself} with her jewels.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until its righteousness shall go forth as brightness, and its salvation as a lamp {that} burneth.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
For {as} a young man marrieth a virgin, {so} shall thy sons marry thee: and {as} the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, {so} will thy God rejoice over thee.
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, {which} shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
And give him no rest, till he shall establish, and till he shall make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn {to be} food for thy enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for which thou hast labored:
But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have collected it shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed to the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; Behold, his reward {is} with him, and his work before him.
And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Who {is} this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this {that is} glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Why {art thou} red in thy apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat.
I have trodden the wine-press alone; and of the people {there was} none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
For the day of vengeance {is} in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
And I looked, and {there was} none to help; and I wondered that {there was} none to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my fury, it upheld me.
And I will tread down the people in my anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the LORD, {and} the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses.
For he said, Surely they {are} my people, children {that} will not lie: so he was their Savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bore them, and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, {and} he fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, {and} his people, {saying} , Where {is} he that brought them out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where {is} he that put his holy Spirit within him?
That led {them} by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
That led them through the deep, as a horse in the wilderness, {that} they should not stumble?
As a beast goeth down in the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where {is} thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies towards me? are they restrained?
Doubtless thou {art} our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, {art} our father, our Redeemer; thy name {is} from everlasting.
O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, {and} hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thy inheritance.
The people of thy holiness have possessed {it} but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
We are {thine} : thou never didst bear rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Oh that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
{As when} the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thy adversaries, {that} the nations may tremble at thy presence!
When thou didst terrible things {which} we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
For since the beginning of the world {men} have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides thee, {what} he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth, and worketh righteousness, {those that} remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
But we are all as an unclean {thing} , and all our righteousnesses {are} as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
And {there is} none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
But now, O LORD, thou {art} our father; we {are} the clay, and thou our potter; and we all {are} the work of thy hand.
Be not very wroth, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we {are} all thy people.
Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these {things} , O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and grievously afflict us?
I am sought by {them that} asked not {for me} ; I am found by {them that} sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, to a nation {that} was not called by my name.
I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, which walketh in a way {that is} not good, after their own thoughts;
A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable {things is in} their vessels;
Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These {are} a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
Behold, {it is} written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, who have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and {one} saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing {is} in it: so will I do for my servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all.
And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and my elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
But ye {are} they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink-offering to that number.
Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spoke, ye did not hear; but did evil before my eyes, and did choose {that} in which I delighted not.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
And ye shall leave your name for a curse to my chosen: for the Lord GOD will slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from my eyes.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever {in that} which I create: for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die a hundred years old: but the sinner {being} a hundred years old shall be accursed.
And they shall build houses, and inhabit {them} ; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree {are} the days of my people, and my elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they {are} the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust {shall be} the serpents' food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven {is} my throne, and the earth {is} my footstool: where {is} the house that ye build to me? and where {is} the place of my rest?
For all these {things} hath my hand made, and all these {things} have been, saith the LORD: but to this man {will} I look, {even} to {him that is} poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
He that killeth an ox {is as if} he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, {as if} he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, {as if he offered} swine's blood; he that burneth incense, {as if} he blessed an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before my eyes, and chose {that} in which I delighted not.
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a male child.
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? {or} shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut {the womb} ? saith thy God.
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may draw milk, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon {her} sides, and be dandled upon {her} knees.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
And when ye see {this} , your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known towards his servants, and {his} indignation towards his enemies.
For behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one {tree} in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
For I {know} their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them to the nations, {to} Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, {to} Tubal, and Javan, {to} the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
And they shall bring all your brethren {for} an offering to the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
And I will also take of them for priests {and} for Levites, saith the LORD.
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass, {that} from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh.
The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that {were} in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Before I formed thee in embryo I knew thee; and before thou wast born I sanctified thee, {and} I ordained thee a prophet to the nations.
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I {am} a child.
But the LORD said to me, Say not, I {am} a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Be not afraid of their faces: for I {am} with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jeremiah, What seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree.
Then said the LORD to me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and its face {is} towards the north.
Then the LORD said to me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
For lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls around, and against all the cities of Judah.
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.
Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak to them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
For behold, I have made thee this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against her princes, against her priests, and against the people of the land.
And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I {am} with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thy espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land {that was} not sown.
Israel {was} holiness to the LORD, {and} the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?
Neither said they, Where {is} the LORD that brought us out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drouth, and of the shades of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit of it, and the goodness of it; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
The priests said not, Where {is} the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after {things that} do not profit.
Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send to Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there is such a thing.
Hath a nation changed {their} gods, which {are} yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for {that which} doth not profit.
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, {and} hewed out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
{Is} Israel a servant? {is} he a home-born {slave} ? why is he laid waste?
The young lions roared upon him, {and} yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
Hast thou not procured this to thyself in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
Thy own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that {it is} an evil {thing} and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear {is} not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
For of old time I have broken thy yoke, {and} burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine to me?
For though thou shalt wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, {yet} thy iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: {thou art} a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
A wild ass used to the wilderness, {that} snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed: they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
Saying to a stock, Thou {art} my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned {their} back to me, and not {their} face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
But where {are} thy gods that thou hast made for thyself? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for {according to} the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
Why will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
In vain have I smitten your children; they have received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? a land of darkness? why say my people, We are lords; we will come no more to thee?
Can a maid forget her ornaments, {or} a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger will turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
Why dost thou go about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
Yes, thou shalt go forth from him, and thy hands upon thy head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
They say, If a man shall put away his wife, and she shall go from him, and become another man's, shall he return to her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
Lift up thy eyes to the high places, and see where thou hast not been lain with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy acts of lewdness, and with thy wickedness.
Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there hath been no latter rain? and thou hadst a harlot's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
Wilt thou not from this time cry to me, My father, thou {art} the guide of my youth?
Will he retain {his anger} for ever? will he keep {it} to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldst.
The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen {that} which backsliding Israel hath done? she hath gone up upon every high mountain, and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
And I said after she had done all these {things} , Turn thou to me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw {it} .
And I saw, when for all the causes by which backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
And it came to pass through the lightness of her lewdness, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned to me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
And the LORD said to me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
Go and proclaim these words towards the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; {and} I will not cause my anger to fall upon you: for I {am} merciful, saith the LORD, {and} I will not keep {anger} for ever.
Only acknowledge thy iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
And I will give you pastors according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
And it shall come to pass, when ye shall be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit {it} ; neither shall {that} be done any more.
At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem; neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together from the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance to your fathers.
But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Surely {as} a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping {and} supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, {and} they have forgotten the LORD their God.
Return, ye backsliding children, {and} I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come to thee; for thou {art} the LORD our God.
Truly in vain {is salvation hoped for} from the hills, {and from} the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God {is} the salvation of Israel.
For shame hath devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return to me: and if thou wilt put away thy abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench {it} , because of the evil of your doings.
Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, Gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fortified cities.
Set up the standard towards Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, {that} the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth to the soul.
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness towards the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
{Even} a full wind from those {places} shall come to me: now also will I give sentence against them.
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots {shall be} as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us! for we are laid waste.
O Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.
Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, {that} watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
As keepers of a field they are against her on all sides; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
Thy way and thy doings have procured these {things} to thee; this {is} thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth to thy heart.
My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is laid waste; suddenly are my tents ruined, {and} my curtains in a moment.
How long shall I see the standard, {and} hear the sound of the trumpet?
For my people {are} foolish, they have not known me; they {are} sottish children, and they have no understanding: they {are} wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
I beheld the earth, and lo, {it was} without form, and void; and the heavens, and they {had} no light.
I beheld the mountains, and lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
I beheld, and lo, {there was} no man, and all the fowls of the heavens had fled.
I beheld, and lo, the fruitful place {was} a wilderness, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of the LORD, {and} by his fierce anger.
For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken {it} , I have purposed {it} , and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city {shall be} forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
And {when} thou {art} laid waste, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rendest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair: {thy} lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, {and} the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, {that} bewaileth herself, {that} spreadeth her hands, {saying} , Woe {is} me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its broad places, if ye can find a man, if there is {any} that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
O LORD, {are} not thy eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, {but} they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
Therefore I said, Surely these {are} poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, {nor} the judgment of their God.
I will go to the great men, and will speak to them; for they have known the way of the LORD, {and} the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, {and} burst the bonds.
Wherefore a lion from the forest shall slay them, {and} a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, {and} their backslidings are increased.
How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by {them that are} no gods: when I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
They were {as} fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbor's wife.
Shall I not visit for these {things} ? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they {are} not the LORD'S.
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.
They have belied the LORD, and said, {It is} not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
And the prophets shall become wind, and the word {is} not in them: thus shall it be done to them.
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, Behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it {is} a mighty nation, it {is} an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
Their quiver {is} as an open sepulcher, they {are} all mighty men.
And they shall eat up thy harvest, and thy bread, {which} thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thy herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig-trees: they shall impoverish with the sword thy fortified cities, in which thou hast trusted.
Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Why doeth the LORD our God all these {things} to us? then shalt thou answer them, As ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land {that is} not yours.
Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and see not; who have ears, and hear not:
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand {for} the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though its waves toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
But this people have a revolting and a rebellious heart; they have revolted and gone.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in its season: he reserveth to us the appointed weeks of harvest.
Your iniquities have turned away these {things} , and your sins have withheld good {things} from you.
For among my people are found wicked {men} : they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
As a cage is full of birds, so {are} their houses full of deceit: therefore they have become great, and have grown rich.
They have become fat, they shine: yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Shall I not visit for these {things} ? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love {to have it} so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate {woman} .
The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her; they shall pitch {their} tents against her on every side; they shall feed every one in his place.
Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day departeth, for the shadows of the evening are lengthened.
Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this {is} the city to be visited; she {is} wholly oppression in the midst of her.
As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and devastation is heard in her; before me continually {are} grief and wounds.
Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thy hand as a grape-gatherer into the baskets.
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ear {is} uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is to them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with {him that is} full of days.
And their houses shall be turned to others, {with their} fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
For from the least of them even to the greatest of them every one {is} given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest every one dealeth falsely.
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when {there is} no peace.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? no, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time {that} I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where {is} the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk {in it} .
Also I set watchmen over you, {saying} , Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what {is} among them.
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, {even} the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened to my words, nor to my law, but have rejected it.
To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant country? your burnt-offerings {are} not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to me.
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they {are} cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
We have heard the fame of it: our hands become feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, {and} pain, as of a woman in travail.
Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy {and} fear {is} on every side.
O daughter of my people, gird {thee} with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, {as for} an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
I have set thee {for} a tower {and} a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
They {are} all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: {they are} brass and iron; they {are} all corrupters.
The bellows is burned, the lead is consumed by the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
Reprobate silver shall {men} call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all {ye of} Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, {are} these.
For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor;
{If} ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen {it} , saith the LORD.
But go ye now to my place which {was} in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spoke to you, rising early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;
Therefore will I do to {this} house, which is called by my name, in which ye trust, and to the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, {even} the whole seed of Ephraim.
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings to other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: {do they} not {provoke} themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, my anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt-offerings to your sacrifices, and eat flesh.
For I spoke not to your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices:
But this thing I commanded them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well to you.
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels {and} in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Since the day that your fathers came forth from the land of Egypt to this day I have even sent to you all my servants the prophets, daily rising early and sending {them} :
Yet they hearkened not to me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
Therefore thou shalt speak all these words to them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call to them; but they will not answer thee.
But thou shalt say to them, This {is} a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth hath perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Cut off thy hair, {O Jerusalem} , and cast {it} away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
And they have built the high places of Tophet, which {is} in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded {them} not, neither came it into my heart.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there shall be no place.
And the carcasses of this people shall be food for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall frighten {them} away.
Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.
At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:
And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshiped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.
And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, who remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.
Moreover, thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?
Why {then} hath this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
I hearkened and heard, {but} they spoke not aright: no man repented of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth to the battle.
Yes, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
How do ye say, We {are} wise, and the law of the LORD {is} with us? Lo, certainly in vain he hath made {it} ; the pen of the scribes {is} in vain.
The wise {men} are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom {is} in them?
Therefore will I give their wives to others, {and} their fields to them that shall inherit {them} : for every one from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even to the priest every one dealeth falsely.
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when {there is} no peace.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? no, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: {there shall be} no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig-tree, and the leaf shall fade; and {the things that} I have given to them shall pass away from them.
Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fortified cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
We looked for peace, but no good {came} ; {and} for a time of health, and behold, trouble!
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they have come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.
For behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which {will} not {be} charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
{When} I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart {is} faint in me.
Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a distant country: {Is} not the LORD in Zion? {is} not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, {and} with strange vanities?
The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
{Is there} no balm in Gilead: {is there} no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered.
Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of way-faring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they {are} all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
And they bend their tongues {like} their bow {for} lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.
And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, {and} weary themselves to commit iniquity.
Thy habitation {is} in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?
Their tongue {is as} an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: {one} speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.
Shall I not visit them for these {things} ? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through {them} ; neither can {men} hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast have fled; they are gone.
And I will make Jerusalem heaps, {and} a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
Who {is} the wise man that may understand this? and {who is he} to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth {and} is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, {even} this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for skillful {women} , that they may come:
And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we laid waste! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast {us} out.
Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbor lamentation.
For death hath come up into our windows, {and} hath entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, {and} the young men from the streets.
Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcasses of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvest-man, and none shall gather {them} .
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise {man} glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty {man} glory in his might, let not the rich {man} glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I {am} the LORD who exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these {things} I delight, saith the LORD.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all {them who are} circumcised with the uncircumcised;
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all {that are} in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all {these} nations {are} uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel {are} uncircumcised in the heart.
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh to you, O house of Israel:
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people {are} vain: for {one} cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it may not move.
They {are} upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also {is it} in them to do good.
Forasmuch as {there is} none like to thee, O LORD; thou {art} great, and thy name {is} great in might.
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise {men} of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, {there is} none like to thee.
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock {is} a doctrine of vanities.
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple {is} their clothing: they {are} all the work of skillful {men} .
But the LORD {is} the true God, he {is} the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Thus shall ye say to them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, {even} they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
When he uttereth his voice, {there is} a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Every man is brutish in {his} knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image {is} falsehood, and {there is} no breath in them.
They {are} vanity, {and} the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
The portion of Jacob {is} not like them: for he {is} the former of all {things} ; and Israel {is} the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts {is} his name.
Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them that they may find {it so} .
Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this {is} a grief, and I must bear it.
My tabernacle is laid waste, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone from me, and they {are} not: {there is} none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
For the pastors have become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Behold, the sound of the noise is come, and a great commotion from the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, {and} a den of dragons.
O LORD, I know that the way of man {is} not in himself: {it is} not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thy anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
And say thou to them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed {be} the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
Which I commanded your fathers in the day {that} I brought them forth from the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
That I may perform the oath which I have sworn to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as {it is} this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.
Then the LORD said to me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
For I earnestly protested to your fathers in the day {that} I brought them out of the land of Egypt, {even} to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded {them} to do; but they did {them} not.
And the LORD said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry to me, I will not hearken to them.
Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry to the gods to which they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
For {according to} the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and {according to} the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to {that} shameful thing, {even} altars to burn incense to Baal.
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear {them} in the time when they cry to me for their trouble.
What hath my beloved to do in my house, {seeing} she hath wrought lewdness with many; and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, {and} of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense to Baal.
And the LORD hath given me knowledge {of it} , and I know {it} : then thou showedst me their doings.
But I {was} like a lamb {or} an ox {that} is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, {saying} , Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for to thee have I revealed my cause.
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, {even} the year of their visitation.
Righteous {art} thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me speak with thee of {thy} judgments: Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? {why} are they all happy that deal very treacherously?
Thou hast planted them, yes, they have taken root: they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: thou {art} near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried my heart towards thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He will not see our last end.
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and {if} in the land of peace, {in which} thou hast trusted, {they wearied thee} , then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yes, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words to thee.
I have forsaken my house, I have left my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
My heritage is to me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
My heritage {is} to me {as} a speckled bird, the birds around {are} against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
They have made it desolate, {and being} desolate it mourneth to me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth {it} to heart.
The spoilers have come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the {one} end of the land even to the other {end} of the land: no flesh shall have peace.
They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, {but} shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD against all my evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD to me, Go and get for thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.
So I procured a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put {it} on my loins.
And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying,
Take the girdle that thou hast procured, which {is} upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.
So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.
And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said to me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.
For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be to me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
Therefore thou shalt speak to them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say to thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?
Then shalt thou say to them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he shall cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he shall turn it into the shades of death, {and} make {it} gross darkness.
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for {your} pride; and my eye shall weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.
Say to the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, {even} the crown of your glory.
The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open {them} ; Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where {is} the flock {that} was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them {to be} captains, {and} as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
And if thou shalt say in thy heart, Why come these things upon me? For the greatness of thy iniquity are thy skirts uncovered, {and} thy heels made bare.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? {then} may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
This {is} thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Therefore will I uncover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.
I have seen thy adulteries, and thy neighings, the enormity of thy lewdness, {and} thy abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe to thee O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when {shall it} once {be} ?
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
Judah mourneth, and her gates languish; they are black to the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, {and} found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain on the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
Yes, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook {it} , because there was no grass.
And the wild asses stood in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes failed, because {there was} no grass.
O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou {it} for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
O the hope of Israel, his Savior in time of trouble, why shouldst thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a way-faring man {that} turneth aside to tarry for a night?
Why shouldst thou be as a man astonished, as a mighty man {that} cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, {art} in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
Thus saith the LORD to this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not restrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
Then said the LORD to me, Pray not for this people for {their} good.
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt-offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say to them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
Then the LORD said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I have not sent them, neither have I commanded them, neither spoken to them: they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart.
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, because of the famine, and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
Therefore thou shalt say this word to them; Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yes, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul loathed Zion? Why hast thou smitten us, and {there is} no healing for us? we looked for peace, and {there is} no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, {and} the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against thee.
Do not abhor {us} , for thy name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
Are there {any} among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? {art} not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these {things} .
Then said the LORD to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, {yet} my mind {could} not {be} towards this people: cast {them} out of my sight, and let them go forth.
And it shall come to pass, if they say to thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as {are} for death, to death; and such as {are} for the sword, to the sword; and such as {are} for the famine, to the famine; and such as {are} for the captivity, to the captivity.
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for {that} which he did in Jerusalem.
For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask concerning thy welfare?
Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave {them} of children, I will destroy my people, {since} they return not from their ways.
Their widows are multiplied to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noon-day: I have caused {him} to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath resigned her breath; her sun is gone down while {it was} yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.
Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor have men lent to me on usury; {yet} every one of them doth curse me.
The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to treat thee {well} in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and {that} for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
And I will make {thee} to pass with thy enemies into a land {which} thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in my anger, {which} shall burn upon you.
O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy long-suffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, {which} refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether to me as a liar, {and as} waters {that} fail?
Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou shalt return, then will I bring thee again, {and} thou shalt stand before me: and if thou shalt separate the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return to thee; but return not thou to them.
And I will make thee to this people a fortified brazen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I {am} with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
And I will deliver thee from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee from the hand of the terrible.
The word of the LORD came also to me, saying,
Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons nor daughters in this place.
For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bore them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land;
They shall die by grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; {but} they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcasses shall be food for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, {even} loving-kindness and mercies.
Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall {men} lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
Neither shall {men} tear {themselves} for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall {men} give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
Also thou shalt not go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt show this people all these words, and they shall say to thee, Why hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what {is} our iniquity? or what {is} our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
Then shalt thou say to them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshiped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken to me:
Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, {neither} ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not show you favor.
Therefore behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
But, The LORD liveth, that brought the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave to their fathers.
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and afterwards will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
For my eyes {are} upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from my eyes.
And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled my inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable things.
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and {things} in which {there is} no profit.
Shall a man make gods to himself, and they {are} no gods?
Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know my hand and my might; and they shall know that my name {is} JEHOVAH.
The sin of Judah {is} written with a pen of iron, {and} with the point of a diamond: {it is} graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance {and} all thy treasures to the spoil, {and} thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.
And thou, even thyself, shall discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thy enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in my anger, {which} shall burn for ever.
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed {be} the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, {in} a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed {is} the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and {that} spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be anxious in the year of drouth, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
The heart {is} deceitful above all {things} , and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the LORD search the heart, {I} try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, {and} according to the fruit of his doings.
{As} the partridge sitteth {on eggs} , and hatcheth {them} not; {so} he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
A glorious high throne from the beginning {is} the place of our sanctuary.
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, {and} they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou {art} my praise.
Behold, they say to me, Where {is} the word of the LORD? let it come now.
As for me, I have not hastened from {being} a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which was uttered by my lips was {right} before thee.
Be not a terror to me: thou {art} my hope in the day of evil.
Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
Thus said the LORD to me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
And say to them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter by these gates:
Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring {it} in by the gates of Jerusalem;
Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken to me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt-offerings, and sacrifices, and meat-offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, to the house of the LORD.
But if ye will not hearken to me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make {it} .
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay {is} in the potter's hand, so {are} ye in my hand, O house of Israel.
{At what} instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy {it} ;
If that nation against which I have pronounced, shall turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them.
And {at what} instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant {it} ;
If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, with which I said I would benefit them.
Now therefore come, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
Will {a man} leave the snow of Lebanon {which cometh} from the rock of the field? {or} shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways {from} the ancient paths, to walk in paths, {in} a way not cast up;
To make their land desolate, {and} a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and wag his head.
I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, {and} to turn away thy wrath from them.
Therefore deliver their children to the famine, and pour out their {blood} by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and {be} widows; and let their men be put to death; {let} their young men {be} slain by the sword in battle.
Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.
Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay {me} : forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal {thus} with them in the time of thy anger.
Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and {take} of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;
And go forth to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which {is} by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,
And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, which whoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire {for} burnt-offerings to Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke {it} , neither came {it} into my mind:
Therefore behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.
And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcasses will I give to be food for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
And I will make this city desolate, and a hissing; every one that passeth by it shall be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues.
And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and distress with which their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall distress them.
Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,
And shalt say to them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as {one} breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury {them} in Tophet, till {there be} no place to bury.
Thus will I do to this place, saith the LORD, and to its inhabitants, and {even} make this city as Tophet:
And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense to all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink-offerings to other gods.
Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD'S house; and said to all the people,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who {was} also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Then Pashur struck Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that {were} in the high gate of Benjamin, which {was} by the house of the LORD.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah to him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib.
For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thy eyes shall behold {it} : and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all its labors, and all its precious things, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, who shall pillage them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thy house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
For since I spoke, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach to me, and a derision, daily.
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But {his word} was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not {stay} .
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, {say they} , and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, {saying} , Perhaps he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
But the LORD {is} with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: {their} everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, {and} seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for to thee have I opened my cause.
Sing to the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evil-doers.
Cursed {be} the day in which I was born: let not the day in which my mother bore me be blessed.
Cursed {be} the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A male child is born to thee; making him very glad.
And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noon;
Because he slew me not at my birth; or that my mother might have been my grave, and she had not been delivered.
Why was I brought into the world to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent to him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,
Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; it may be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.
Then said Jeremiah to them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that {are} in your hands, with which ye fight against the king of Babylon, and {against} the Chaldeans, who besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.
And I myself will fight against you with an out-stretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.
And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; they shall die by a great pestilence.
And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life; and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
And to this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be to him for a prey.
For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
And concerning the house of the king of Judah, {say} , Hear ye the word of the LORD;
O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver {him that is} made desolate out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench {it} , because of the evil of your doings.
Behold, I {am} against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, {and} rock of the plain, saith the LORD; who say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?
But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things around it.
Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter by these gates:
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver him that is laid waste out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter, by the gates of this house, kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
For thus saith the LORD to the king's house of Judah; Thou {art} Gilead to me, {and} the head of Lebanon; {yet} surely I will make thee a wilderness, {and} cities {which} are not inhabited.
And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast {them} into the fire.
And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbor, Why hath the LORD done thus to this great city?
Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshiped other gods, and served them.
Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: {but} weep bitterly for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
For thus saith the LORD concerning Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, who went forth from this place; He shall not return thither any more:
But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.
Woe to him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; {that} useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;
That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and {it is} ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
Shalt thou reign, because thou closest {thyself} in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, {and} then {it was} well with him?
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then {it was} well {with him} : {was} not this to know me? saith the LORD.
But thy eyes and thy heart {are} only for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do {it} .
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, {saying} , Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, {saying} , Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.
I spoke to thee in thy prosperity; {but} thou saidest, I will not hear. This {hath been} thy manner from thy youth, that thou hast not obeyed my voice.
The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!
{As} I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand {of them} whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.
And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bore thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.
But to the land to which they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
{Is} this man Coniah a despised broken idol? {is he} a vessel in which {is} no pleasure? why are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man {that} shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
And I will gather the remnant of my flock from all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
And I will set shepherds over them who shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice upon the earth.
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell in safety: and this {is} his name by which he shall be called, JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
But, the LORD liveth, who brought and who led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I have driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force {is} not right.
For both prophet and priest are profane; even in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.
Wherefore their way shall be to them as slippery {ways} in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, {even} the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evil-doers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants of it as Gomorrah.
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not to the words of the prophets that prophesy to you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, {and} not from the mouth of the LORD.
They say still to them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say to every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard {it} ?
Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he shall have executed, and till he shall have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
{Am} I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off.
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
How long shall {this} be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yes, {they are} prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
Who think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What {is} the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD?
{Is} not my word like a fire? saith the LORD? and like a hammer {that} breaketh the rock in pieces?
Therefore behold, I {am} against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.
Behold, I {am} against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
Behold, I {am} against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What {is} the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say to them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.
And {as for} the prophet, and the priest, and the people that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent to you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
Therefore behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave to you and your fathers, {and cast you} out of my presence:
And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
The LORD showed me, and behold, two baskets of figs {were} set before the temple of the LORD, after Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.
One basket {had} very good figs, {even} like the figs {that are} first ripe: and the other basket {had} very poor figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
Then said the LORD to me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? and I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad.
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for {their} good.
For I will set my eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull {them} down; and I will plant them, and not pluck {them} up.
And I will give them a heart to know me, that I {am} the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
And as the bad figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for {their} hurt, {to be} a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they are consumed from off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that {was} the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
Which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even to this day, that {is} the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come to me, and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
And the LORD hath sent to you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending {them} ; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given to you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
Yet ye have not hearkened to me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,
Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against its inhabitants, and against all these nations around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations.
Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
And this whole land shall be a desolation, {and} an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, {that} I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, {even} all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.
For many nations and great kings shall reduce them to subjection also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
For thus saith the LORD God of Israel to me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
And they shall drink, and be moved, and enraged, because of the sword that I will send among them.
Then I took the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, to whom the LORD had sent me:
{To wit} , Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and her kings, and her princes, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, a hissing, and a curse; as {it is} this day;
Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;
And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,
And all the kings of Tyre, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which {are} beyond the sea,
Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all {that are} in the utmost corners,
And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,
And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,
And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which {are} upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
Therefore thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and vomit, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thy hand to drink, then shalt thou say to them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
For lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.
Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say to them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread {the grapes} , against all the inhabitants of the earth.
A noise shall come {even} to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them {that are} wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised from the borders of the earth.
And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from {one} end of the earth even to the {other} end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves {in the ashes} , ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock, {shall be heard} : for the LORD hath laid waste their pasture.
And the peaceable habitations are cut down, because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,
Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak to them; diminish not a word:
It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent of the evil, which I purpose to do to them because of the evil of their doings.
And thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the LORD, If ye will not hearken to me to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you, both rising early, and sending {them} , but ye have not hearkened;
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
So the priests and the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded {him} to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah, in the house of the LORD.
When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house to the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S {house} .
Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and to all the people, saying, This man {is} worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes, and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
As for me, behold, I {am} in your hand: do with me as it seemeth good and meet to you.
But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye will surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its inhabitants: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.
Then said the princes and all the people to the priests and to the prophets; This man {is} not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.
Then arose certain of the elders of the land, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying,
Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed {like} a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? did he not fear the LORD, and beseech the LORD, and the LORD repented of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, {namely} , Elnathan the son of Achbor, and {certain} men with him into Egypt.
And they brought forth Urijah from Egypt, and brought him to Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, came this word to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Thus saith the LORD to me; Make for thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyre, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah;
And command them to say to their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to your masters;
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that {are} upon the ground, by my great power and by my out-stretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed meet to me.
And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land shall come: and then many nations and great kings shall bring him into subjection.
And it shall come to pass, {that} the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
Therefore hearken ye not to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.
But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell in it.
I spoke also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
Therefore hearken not to the words of the prophets that speak to you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon; for they prophesy a lie to you.
For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy to you.
Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy to you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie to you.
Hearken not to them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: why should this city be laid waste?
But if they {are} prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and {in} the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
Yes, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain {in} the house of the LORD, and {in} the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;
They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, {and} in the fifth month, {that} Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, who {was} of Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests, and of all the people, saying,
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD; for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.
Nevertheless, now hear thou this word that I speak in thy ears, and in the ears of all the people:
The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
The prophet who prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, {then} shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and broke it.
And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
Then said the prophet Jeremiah to Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
Now these {are} the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders who were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
(After Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, had departed from Jerusalem;)
By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon;
Build ye houses, and dwell {in them} ; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace of it ye shall have peace.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that {are} in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
For they prophesy falsely to you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years shall be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word towards you, in causing you to return to this place.
For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray to me, and I will hearken to you.
And ye shall seek me, and find {me} , when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And I will be found by you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD: and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised up for us prophets in Babylon;
{Know} that thus saith the LORD concerning the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and concerning all the people that dwelleth in this city, {and} concerning your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad.
And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and a hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:
Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent to them by my servants the prophets, rising early and sending {them} ; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
And concerning them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah who {are} in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
Because they have committed villainy in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbor's wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and {am} a witness, saith the LORD.
{Thus} shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name to all the people that {are} at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man {that is} mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, who maketh himself a prophet to you?
For therefore he sent to us {in} Babylon, saying, This {captivity is} long: build ye houses, and dwell {in them} ; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,
Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because Shemaiah hath prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write for thee all the words that I have spoken to thee in a book.
For lo, the days come, saith the LORD; that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
And these {are} the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Alas! for that day {is} great, so that none {is} like it: it {is} even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, {that} I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more bring him into subjection:
But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and quiet, and none shall make {him} afraid.
For I {am} with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise {is} incurable, {and} thy wound {is} grievous.
{There is} none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisements of a cruel one, for the multitude of thy iniquity; {because} thy sins were increased.
Why criest thou for thy affliction? thy sorrow {is} incurable for the multitude of thy iniquity: {because} thy sins were increased, I have done these things to thee.
Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thy adversaries, every one of them shall go into captivity; and they that plunder thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
For I will restore health to thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, {saying} , This {is} Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be built upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after its manner.
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
Their children also shall be as in former time, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
And their nobles shall be from themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach time: for who {is} this that engaged his heart to approach to me? saith the LORD.
And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he hath done {it} , and until he hath performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
At the same time, saith the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
Thus saith the LORD, The people {who were} left by the sword found grace in the wilderness; {even} Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
The LORD appeared of old to me, {saying} , I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel; thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat {them} as common things.
For there shall be a day, {that} the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God.
For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the borders of the earth, {and} with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim {is} my first-born.
Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare {it} in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd {doth} his flock.
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of {him that was} stronger than he.
Therefore they shall come and sing in the hight of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, {and} bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they {were} not.
Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thy eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
And there is hope in thy end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself {thus} ; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed {to the yoke} : turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou {art} the LORD my God.
Surely after I was turned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote upon {my} thigh: I was ashamed, and even confounded, because I bore the reproach of my youth.
{Is} Ephraim my dear son? {is he} a pleasant child? for since I spoke against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
Set thee up way-marks, make thee high heaps: set thy heart towards the highway, {even} the way {which} thou wentest; turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
How long wilt thou wander about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in her cities, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, mountain of holiness.
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all her cities together, husbandmen, and they {that} go forth with flocks.
For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet to me.
Behold, the days come saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
And it shall come to pass, {that} as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build and to plant, saith the LORD.
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day {that} I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband to them, saith the LORD:
But this {shall be} the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Thus saith the LORD, who giveth the sun for a light by day, {and} the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who divideth the sea when its waves roar; The LORD of hosts {is} his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, {then} the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel to the gate of the corner.
And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields to the brook of Kidron, to the corner of the horse-gate towards the east, {shall be} holy to the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which {was} the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the court of the prison, which {was} in the king of Judah's house.
For Zedekiah king of Judah had confined him, saying, Why dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape from the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thy uncle shall come to thee, saying, Buy for thee my field that {is} in Anathoth: for the right of redemption {is} thine to buy {it} .
So Hanameel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison, according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that {is} in Anathoth, which {is} in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance {is} thine, and the redemption {is} thine; buy {it} for thyself. Then I knew that this {was} the word of the LORD.
And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that {was} in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, {even} seventeen shekels of silver.
And I subscribed the contract, and sealed {it} , and took witnesses, and weighed {him} the money in the balances.
So I took the evidence of the purchase, {both} that which was sealed {according} to the law and custom, and that which was open:
And I gave the evidence of the purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel my uncle's {son} , and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both that which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying,
Ah LORD God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and out-stretched arm, {and} there is nothing too hard for thee:
Thou showest loving-kindness to thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, JEHOVAH of hosts, {is} his name,
Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thy eyes {are} open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
Who hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, {even} to this day, and in Israel, and among {other} men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
And hast brought forth thy people Israel from the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with an out-stretched arm, and with great terror;
And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
Behold the mounts, they are come to the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and behold, thou seest {it} .
And thou hast said to me, O LORD GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,
Behold, I {am} the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense to Baal, and poured out drink-offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger.
For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done evil only before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
For this city hath been to me {as} a provocation of my anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even to this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And they have turned to me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising early and teaching {them} , yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
And they built the high places of Baal, which {are} in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through {the fire} to Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, of which ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in my anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again to this place, and I will cause them to dwell in safety.
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
For thus saith the LORD; As I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
And fields shall be bought in this land, of which ye say, {It is} desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal {them} , and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet confined in the court of the prison, saying,
Thus saith the LORD the maker of this, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD {is} his name;
Call to me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;
They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but {it is} to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in my anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.
And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, by which they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, by which they have sinned, and by which they have transgressed against me.
And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do to them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure to it.
Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say {shall be} desolate without man and without beast, {even} in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD {is} good; for his mercy {endureth} for ever: {and} of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all its cities, shall be a habitation of shepherds causing {their} flocks to lie down.
In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that counteth {them} , saith the LORD.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the branch of righteousness to grow up to David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell in safety: and this {is the name} by which she shall be called, JEHOVAH our righteousness.
For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;
Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt-offerings, and to kindle meat-offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, so that there should not be day and night in their season;
{Then} also may my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister to me.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant {is} not with day and night, {and if} I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, {so} that I will not take {any} of his seed {to be} rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people fought against Jerusalem, and against all its cities, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
And thou shalt not escape from his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thy eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:
{But} thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings who were before thee, so shall they burn {odors} for thee; and they will lament thee, {saying} , Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.
Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these fortified cities remained of the cities of Judah.
{This is} the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who {were} at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them;
That every man should liberate his man-servant, and every man his maid-servant, {being} a Hebrew or a Hebrewess; that none should retain them in service, {to wit} , a Jew his brother.
Now when all the princes, and all the people who had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should liberate his man-servant, and every one his maid-servant, that none should retain them in service any more, then they obeyed, and let {them} go.
But afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had liberated, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.
Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth from the land of Egypt, out of the house of bond-men, saying,
At the end of seven years dismiss ye every man his brother a Hebrew, who hath been sold to thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not to me, neither inclined their ear.
And ye had now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:
But ye turned and profaned my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be to you for servants and for handmaids.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened to me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in two, and passed between the parts of it,
The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf;
I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for food to the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.
And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes I will give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.
Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
Go to the house of the Rechabites, and speak to them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.
Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;
And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, who {was} by the chamber of the princes, which {was} above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:
And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, Drink ye wine.
But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, {neither} ye, nor your sons for ever:
Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have {any} : but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye {are} strangers.
Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:
But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.
Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not to me.
I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending {them} , saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened to me.
Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened to me:
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard; and I have called to them, but they have not answered.
And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he hath commanded you:
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.
And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, {that} this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Take thee a roll of a book, and write in it all the words that I have spoken to thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to thee, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do to them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken to him, upon a roll of a book.
And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I {am} confined, I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
Therefore go thou and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the day of fasting: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great {is} the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.
And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.
And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, {that} they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem.
Then Baruch read in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people.
When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and lo, all the princes sat there, {even} Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
Then Michaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, Take in thy hand the roll in which thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came to them.
And they said to him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read {it} in their ears.
Now it came to pass when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and another, and said to Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words to me with his mouth, and I wrote {them} with ink in the book.
Then said the princes to Baruch, Go, hide thyself, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye are.
And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
So the king sent Jehudi to bring the roll: and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama, the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes who stood beside the king.
Now the king sat in the winter-house in the ninth month: and {there was a fire} on the hearth burning before him.
And it came to pass, {that} when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the scribe's pen-knife, and cast {it} into the fire that {was} on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that {was} on the hearth.
Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, {neither} the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah hath burned.
And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
Then Jeremiah took another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were besides added to them many like words.
And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.
But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, hearkened to the words of the LORD, which he spoke by the prophet Jeremiah.
And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now to the LORD our God for us.
Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.
Then Pharaoh's army had come from Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.
Then came the word of the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you to me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which hath come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans will surely depart from us: for they will not depart.
For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained {but} wounded men among them, {yet} would they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.
And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army,
Then Jeremiah went out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people.
And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward {was} there, whose name {was} Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.
Then said Jeremiah, {It is} false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.
Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and beat him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.
When Jeremiah had entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there {any} word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
Moreover Jeremiah said to king Zedekiah, In what have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?
Where {are} now your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?
Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.
Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the baker's street, until all the bread in the city should be consumed. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken to all the people, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.
Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.
Therefore the princes said to the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he {is} in your hand: for the king {is} not {he that} can do {any} thing against you.
Then they took Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that {was} in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon {there was} no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
Now when Ebed-melech the Cushite, one of the eunuchs who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
Ebed-melech went out of the king's house, and spoke to the king, saying,
My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die by hunger in the place where he is: for {there is} no more bread in the city.
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dieth.
So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old decayed rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
And Ebed-melech the Cushite said to Jeremiah, Put now {these} old cast clouts and decayed rags under thy arm-holes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet to him into the third entry that {is} in the house of the LORD: and the king said to Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I declare {it} to thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken to me?
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, {As} the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
Then said Jeremiah to Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thy house:
But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape from their hand.
And Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that have fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver {thee} . Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak to thee: so it shall be well to thee, and thy soul shall live.
But if thou shalt refuse to go forth, this {is} the word that the LORD hath shown me:
And behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house {shall be} brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those {women} shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, {and} they are turned away back.
So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come to thee, and say to thee, Declare to us now what thou hast said to the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said to thee:
Then thou shalt say to them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.
Then came all the princes to Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was {there} when Jerusalem was taken.
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
{And} in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth {day} of the month, the city was broken up.
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, {even} Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
And it came to pass, when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
But the Chaldeans' army pursued them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.
But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard, saying,
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do to him even as he shall say to thee.
So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;
Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, while he was confined in the court of the prison, saying,
Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Cushite, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be {accomplished} in that day before thee.
But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou {art} afraid.
For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey to thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon.
And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
Now the LORD hath brought {it} , and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which {were} upon thy hand. If it seemeth good to thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well to thee: but if it seemeth ill to thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land {is} before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
Now while he had not yet gone back, {he said} , Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wherever it seemeth convenient to thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him provisions and a reward, and let him go.
Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
Now when all the captains of the forces who {were} in the fields, {even} they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, swore to them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans, who will come to us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put {them} in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
Likewise when all the Jews that {were} in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that {were} in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits in abundance.
Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, that {were} in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
And said to him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know {it} : why should he slay thee, that all the Jews who are gathered to thee should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?
But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
Now it came to pass in the seventh month, {that} Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they ate bread together in Mizpah.
Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, {even} with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, {and} the men of war.
And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew {it} ,
That there came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, {even} eighty men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring {them} to the house of the LORD.
And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said to them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
And it was {so} , when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, {and cast them} into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that {were} with him.
But ten men were found among them that said to Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbore, and slew them not among their brethren.
Now the pit into which Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, {was} that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: {and} Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with {them that were} slain.
Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that {were} in Mizpah, {even} the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that {were} with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done.
Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that {are} in Gibeon.
Now it came to pass, {that} when all the people who {were} with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that {were} with him, then they were glad.
So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.
But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
Then Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that {were} with him, took all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpeh, after {that} he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, {even} mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon.
And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which {is} by Beth-lehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near.
And said to Jeremiah the prophet, We beseech thee, let our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us to the LORD thy God, {even} for all this remnant; (for we are left {but} a few of many, as thy eyes do behold us:)
That the LORD thy God may show us the way in which we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, I have heard {you} ; behold, I will pray to the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, {that} whatever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare {it} to you; I will keep nothing back from you.
Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
Whether {it be} good, or whether {it be} evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who {were} with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
And said to them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;
If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull {you} down, and I will plant you, and not pluck {you} up: for I repent of the evil that I have done to you.
Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD; for I {am} with you, to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
And I will show mercies to you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor hunger for bread; and there will we dwell:
And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
Then it shall come to pass, {that} the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine of which ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As my anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.
The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.
For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me to the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us to the LORD our God; and according to all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare to us, and we will do {it} .
And {now} I have this day declared {it} to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any {thing} for which he hath sent me to you.
Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go {and} to sojourn.
And it came to pass, {that} when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking to all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, {even} all these words.
Then spoke Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying to Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that had returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
{Even} men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus they came {even} to Tahpanhes.
Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
Take great stones in thy hand, and hide them in the clay in the brick-kiln, which {is} at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
And say to them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, {and deliver} such {as are} for death to death; and such {as are} for captivity to captivity; and such {as are} for the sword to the sword.
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that {is} in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who dwell in the land of Egypt, who dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they {are} a desolation, and no man dwelleth in them.
Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, {and} to serve other gods, whom they knew not, {neither} they, ye, nor your fathers.
Yet I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending {them} , saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods.
Wherefore my fury and my anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted {and} desolate, as at this day.
Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Why do ye commit {this} great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;
In that ye provoke me to wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye are gone to dwell, that ye may cut yourselves off, and that ye may be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?
They are not humbled {even} to this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.
And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, {and} fall in the land of Egypt; they shall {even} be consumed by the sword {and} by the famine: they shall die, from the least even to the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, {and} an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:
So that none of the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt, to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
Then all the men who knew that their wives had burned incense to other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
{As for} the word that thou hast spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken to thee.
But we will certainly do whatever thing proceedeth from our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings to her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for {then} we had plenty of provisions, and were well, and saw no evil.
But since we ceased to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings to her, we have wanted all {things} , and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink-offerings to her, did we make for her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink-offerings to her, without our men?
Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people who had given him {that} answer, saying,
The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it {not} into his mind?
So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, {and} because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil hath happened to you, as at this day.
Moreover, Jeremiah said to all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that {are} in the land of Egypt:
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings to her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.
Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.
Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that {are} in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there shall be an end of them.
Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that have gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.
And this {shall be} a sign to you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaoh-hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.
The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book from the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, to thee, O Baruch;
Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
Thus shalt thou say to him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, {that} which I have built I will break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek {them} not: for behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give to thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt, who was by the river Euphrates in Carshemish, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
Harness the horses; and mount, ye horsemen, and stand forth with {your} helmets; furbish the spears, {and} put on the coats of mail.
Why have I seen them dismayed {and} turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and have fled apace, and look not back: {for} fear {was} on all sides, saith the LORD.
Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape! they shall stumble, and fall towards the north by the river Euphrates.
Who {is} this {that} cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
Egypt riseth up like a flood, and {his} waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, {and} will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and its inhabitants.
Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth: the Cushites and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians that handle {and} bend the bow.
For this {is} the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiated and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; {for} thou shalt not be cured.
The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, {and} they have fallen both together.
The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come {and} smite the land of Egypt.
Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour around thee.
Why are thy valiant {men} swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.
He made many to fall, yes, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.
They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt {is but} a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
{As} I live, saith the king, whose name {is} the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor {is} among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, {so} shall he come.
O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.
Egypt {is like} a very fair heifer, {but} destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
Also her hired men {are} in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also have turned back, {and} have fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity had come upon them, {and} the time of their visitation.
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and {are} innumerable.
The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.
The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel saith: Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and {all} them that trust in him:
And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.
But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for behold, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make {him} afraid.
Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I {am} with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before Pharaoh smote Gaza.
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is in it; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong {horses} , at the rushing of his chariots, {and at} the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to {their} children for feebleness of hands:
Because of the day that cometh to lay waste all the Philistines, {and} to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will lay waste the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off {with} the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
O thou sword of the LORD, how long {will it be} ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe to Nebo! for it is laid waste: Kiriathaim is confounded {and} taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
{There shall be} no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from {being} a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
A voice of crying {shall be} from Horonaim, devastation and great destruction.
Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
For in the ascent of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the descent of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou also shalt be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity {with} his priests and his princes together.
And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
Give wings to Moab, that it may flee and get away: for its cities shall be desolate, without any to dwell in them.
Cursed {be} he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed {be} he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send to him wanderers that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence.
How say ye, We {are} mighty and strong men for the war?
Moab is laid waste, and gone up {out of} her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the king, whose name {is} the LORD of hosts.
The calamity of Moab {is} near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
All ye that are about him bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, {and} the beautiful rod!
Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from {thy} glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, {and} he shall destroy thy strong holds.
O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, {and} say, What is done?
Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is laid waste.
And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,
And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,
And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
Make ye him drunken; for he magnified {himself} against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
For was not Israel a derision to thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou hast spoken of him, thou hast leaped for joy.
O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove {that} maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.
We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogance, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but {it shall} not {be} so; his lies shall not so effect {it} .
Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; {my heart} shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.
O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants have gone over the sea, they reach {even} to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler hath fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the wine-presses: none shall tread with shouting; {their} shouting {shall be} no shouting.
From the cry of Heshbon {even} to Elealeh, {and even} to Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar {even} to Horonaim, {as} a heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
Therefore my heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and my heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches {that} he hath gotten have perished.
For every head {shall be} bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands {shall be} cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
{There shall be} lamentation generally upon all the house-tops of Moab, and in its streets: for I have broken Moab like a vessel in which {is} no pleasure, saith the LORD.
They shall howl, {saying} , How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
And Moab shall be destroyed from {being} a people, because he hath magnified {himself} against the LORD.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, {shall be} upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.
He that fleeth from the fear, shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth out of the pit, shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, {even} upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
They that fled stood under the shade of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
Woe be to thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far {is} the judgment of Moab.
Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why {then} doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
Therefore behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir to them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, {and} his priests and his princes together.
Why gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, {saying} , Who shall come to me?
Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that are about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.
And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.
Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; {Is} wisdom no more in Teman? hath counsel perished from the prudent? hath their wisdom vanished?
Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time {that} I will visit him.
If grape-gatherers come to thee, would they not leave {some} gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is laid waste, and his brethren, and his neighbors, and he {is} not.
Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve {them} alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment {was} not to drink of the cup have assuredly drank; and {art} thou he {that} shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink {of it} .
For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all her cities shall be perpetual wastes.
I have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an embassador is sent to the heathen, {saying} , Assemble, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
For lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, {and} despised among men.
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, {and} the pride of thy heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the hight of the hill: though thou shouldst make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all her plagues.
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring {cities} , saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who {is} a chosen {man} , {that} I may appoint over her? for who {is} like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who {is} that shepherd that will stand before me?
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise of it was heard in the Red sea.
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are faint-hearted; {there is} sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Damascus hath become feeble, {and} turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on {her} : anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-hadad.
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and lay waste the men of the east.
Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry to them, Fear {is} on every side.
Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
Arise, go up to the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, {which} dwell alone.
And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them {that are} in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides of it, saith the LORD.
And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, {and} a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor {any} son of man dwell in it.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them towards all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, {even} my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
But it shall come to pass in the latter days, {that} I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
The word that the LORD spoke against Babylon {and} against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.
Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, {and} conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
For out of the north there cometh a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell in it, they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping; they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces towards it, {saying} , Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant {that} shall not be forgotten.
My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away {on} the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting-place.
All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth from the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he-goats before the flocks.
For lo, I will raise and cause to come against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows {shall be} as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of my heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;
Your mother shall be greatly confounded; she that bore you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations {shall be} a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
Put yourselves in array against Babylon on every side: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
Shout against her on every side; she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it {is} the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do to her.
Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.
Israel {is} a scattered sheep; the lions have driven {him} away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.
In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and {there shall} be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
Go up against the land of Merathaim, {even} against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
A sound of battle {is} in the land, and of great destruction.
How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!
I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
The LORD hath opened his armory, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this {is} the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
Come against her from the utmost border, open her store-houses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.
Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe to them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.
The voice of them that flee and escape from the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, encamp against it on every side; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do to her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore her young men shall fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.
Behold, I {am} against thee, {O thou} most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time {that} I will visit thee.
And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all around him.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah {were} oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.
Their Redeemer {is} strong; the LORD of hosts {is} his name: he will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
A sword {is} upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise {men} .
A sword {is} upon the liars; and they shall be sottish: a sword {is} upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
A sword {is} upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that {are} in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword {is} upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
A drouth {is} upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it {is} the land of graven images, and they are mad upon {their} idols.
Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the isles, shall dwell {there} , and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring {cities} , saith the LORD; {so} shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the borders of the earth.
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they {are} cruel, and will not show mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, {every one} put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands became feeble: anguish took hold of him, {and} pangs as of a woman in travail.
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan to the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who {is} a chosen {man} , {that} I may appoint over her? for who {is} like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who {is} that shepherd that will stand before me?
Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make {their} habitation desolate with them.
At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise against me, a destroying wind;
And will send to Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her on all sides.
Against {him that} bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against {him that} lifteth himself up in his coat of mail: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.
Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and {they that are} thrust through in her streets.
For Israel {hath} not {been} forsaken, nor Judah by his God, by the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
Flee from the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this {is} the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render to her a recompense.
Babylon {hath been} a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drank of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, it may be she may be healed.
We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth to heaven, and is lifted {even} to the skies.
The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his purpose {is} against Babylon, to destroy it; because it {is} the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.
O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thy end is come, {and} the measure of thy covetousness.
The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, {saying} , Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillars; and they shall raise a shout against thee.
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
When he uttereth {his} voice, {there is} a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Every man is brutish by {his} knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image {is} falsehood, and {there is} no breath in them.
They {are} vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
The portion of Jacob {is} not like them; for he {is} the former of all things: and {Israel is} the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts {is} his name.
Thou {art} my battle-ax {and} weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and its rider;
With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;
I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
And I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.
Behold, I {am} against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out my hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD.
Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillars.
Prepare against her the nations with the kings of Media, her captains, and all her rulers, and all the land of his dominion.
And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
The mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight, they have remained in {their} holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwelling-places; her bars are broken.
One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken at {one} end,
And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon {is} like a threshing-floor, {it is} time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.
The violence done to me and to my flesh {be} upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.
And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling-place for dragons, an astonishment, and a hissing, without an inhabitant.
They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.
In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he-goats.
How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of its waves.
Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land in which no man dwelleth, neither doth {any} son of man pass by it.
And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed: and the nations shall not flow together any more to him: even the wall of Babylon shall fall.
My people, depart from the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
And lest your heart should faint, and ye should fear for the rumor that shall be heard in the land; a rumor shall both come {one} year, and after that in {another} year {shall come} a rumor, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.
Therefore behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
Then the heaven and the earth, and all that {is} in them, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come to her from the north, saith the LORD.
As Babylon {hath caused} the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.
Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD'S house.
Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the hight of her strength, {yet} from me shall spoilers come to her, saith the LORD.
A sound of a cry {cometh} from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:
Because the LORD hath laid waste Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
Because the spoiler is come upon her, {even} upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the Lord GOD of recompenses shall surely requite.
And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise {men} , her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the king, whose name {is} the LORD of hosts.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labor in vain, and the people in the fire, and they shall be weary.
The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And {this} Seraiah {was} a quiet prince.
So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, {even} all these words that are written against Babylon.
And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou shalt come to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;
Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, {that} thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:
And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far {are} the words of Jeremiah.
Zedekiah {was} one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name {was} Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
And he did {that which was} evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth {day} of the month, {that} Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it, and built forts against it on every side.
So the city was besieged to the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
And in the fourth month, in the ninth {day} of the month, the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.
Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth from the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which {was} by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans {were} by the city on all sides:) and they went by the way of the plain.
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
Then they took the king, and carried him to the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.
And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
Now in the fifth month, in the tenth {day} of the month, which {was} the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, captain of the guard, {who} served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,
And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great {men} he burned with fire:
And all the army of the Chaldeans, that {were} with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls of Jerusalem on every side.
Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive {certain} of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left {certain} of the poor of the land for vine-dressers and for husbandmen.
Also the pillars of brass that {were} in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that {was} in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.
The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass with which they ministered, they took away.
And the basins, and the fire-pans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; {that} which {was} of gold {in} gold, and {that} which {was} of silver {in} silver, the captain of the guard took away.
The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brazen bulls that {were} under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
And {concerning} the pillars, the hight of one pillar {was} eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits encompassed it; and the thickness of it {was} four fingers: {it was} hollow.
And a capital of brass {was} upon it; and the hight of one capital {was} five cubits, with net-work and pomegranates upon the capitals around, all {of} brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates {were} like to these.
And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; {and} all the pomegranates upon the net-work {were} a hundred on all sides.
And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
He took also out of the city a eunuch, who had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, who were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city.
So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.
And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah, in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.
This {is} the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:
In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons:
In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar, Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons {were} four thousand and six hundred.
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth {day} of the month, {that} Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the {first} year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him out of prison,
And spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that {were} with him in Babylon,
And changed his prison garments: and he continually ate bread before him all the days of his life.
And {for} his food there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
How doth the city sit solitary, {that was} full of people! {how} is she become as a widow! she {that was} great among the nations, {and} princess among the provinces, {how} is she become tributary.
She weepeth bitterly in the night, and her tears {are} on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort {her} : all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she {is} in bitterness.
Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.
And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty hath departed: her princes are become like harts {that} find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none helped her: the adversaries saw her, {and} mocked at her sabbaths.
Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honored her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yes, she sigheth and turneth backward.
Her filthiness {is} in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she hath been wonderfully abased: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified {himself} .
The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen {that} the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command {that} they should not enter into thy congregation.
All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for food to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
{Is it} nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which hath fallen upon me, with which the LORD hath afflicted {me} in the day of his fierce anger.
From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate {and} faint all the day.
The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, {and} come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the LORD hath delivered me into {their} hands, {from whom} I am not able to rise.
The LORD hath trodden under foot all my mighty {men} in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the LORD hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, {as} in a wine-press.
For these {things} I weep; my eye, my eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
Zion spreadeth forth her hands, {and there is} none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, {that} his adversaries {should be} around him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
I called for my lovers, {but} they deceived me: my priests and my elders resigned their breath in the city, while they sought their food to relieve their souls.
Behold, O LORD; for I {am} in distress: my bowels are troubled; my heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home {there is} as death.
They have heard that I sigh: {there is} none to comfort me: all my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done {it} : thou wilt bring the day {that} thou hast called, and they shall be like me.
Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do to them, as thou hast done to me for all my transgressions: for my sighs {are} many, and my heart {is} faint.
How hath the LORD covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, {and} cast down from heaven to the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!
The LORD hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought {them} down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and its princes.
He hath cut off in {his} fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, {which} devoureth on every side.
He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all {that were} pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.
The LORD was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.
And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as {if it were of} a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and in the indignation of his anger hath despised the king and the priest.
The LORD hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.
The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.
Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes {are} among the Gentiles: the law {is} no {more} : her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.
The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, {and} keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.
My eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.
They say to their mothers, Where {is} corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.
What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach {is} great like the sea: who can heal thee?
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not revealed thy iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
All that pass by, clap {their} hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, {saying} , {Is} this the city that {men} call the Perfection of beauty, the Joy of the whole earth?
All thy enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed {her} up: certainly this {is} the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen {it} .
The LORD hath done {that} which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused {thy} enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thy adversaries.
Their heart cried to the LORD, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thy eye cease.
Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thy heart like water before the face of the LORD: lift up thy hands towards him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger at the head of every street.
Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the LORD?
The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword; thou hast slain {them} in the day of thy anger; thou hast killed, {and} not pitied.
Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors around, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up, hath my enemy consumed.
I {am} the man {that} hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
He hath led me, and brought {me into} darkness, but not {into} light.
Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand {against me} all the day.
My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
He hath built against me, and compassed {me} with gall and labor.
He hath set me in dark places, as {they that are} dead of old.
He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
He {was} to me {as} a bear lying in wait, {and as} a lion in secret places.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
I was a derision to all my people; {and} their song all the day.
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
And I said, My strength and my hope hath perished from the LORD:
Remembering my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
My soul hath {them} still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
{It is of} the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
{They are} new every morning: great {is} thy faithfulness.
The LORD {is} my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD {is} good to them that wait for him, to the soul {that} seeketh him.
{It is} good that {a man} should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
{It is} good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth.
He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, because he hath borne {it} upon him.
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if there may be hope.
He giveth {his} cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
For the LORD will not cast off for ever:
But though he causeth grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
To subvert a man in his cause, the LORD approveth not.
Who {is} he {that} saith, and it cometh to pass, {when} the LORD commandeth {it} not?
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Why doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
Let us lift up our heart with {our} hands to God in the heavens.
We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that {our} prayer should not pass through.
Thou hast made us {as} the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
My eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
My eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
Till the LORD shall look down, and behold from heaven.
My eye affecteth my heart because of all the daughters of my city.
My enemies chased me fiercely, like a bird without cause.
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
Waters flowed over my head; {then} I said, I am cut off.
I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.
Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thy ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Thou drewest near in the day {that} I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
O LORD, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
Thou hast seen all their vengeance {and} all their imaginations against me.
Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, {and} all their imaginations against me;
The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I {am} their music.
Render to them a recompense, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse to them.
Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
How is the gold become dim! {how} is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
Even the sea-monsters draw out the breast, they nurse their young ones: the daughter of my people {is become} cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, {and} no man breaketh {it} to them.
They that fed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing {was} of sapphire:
Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.
{They that are} slain with the sword are better than {they that are} slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for {want of} the fruits of the field.
The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children: they were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.
The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured her foundations.
The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy would have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
For the sins of her prophets, {and} the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
They have wandered {as} blind {men} in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.
They cried to them, Depart ye; {it is} unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn {there} .
The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.
As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation {that} could not save {us} .
They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.
Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through to thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.
The punishment of thy iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thy iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will disclose thy sins.
Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.
Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers {are} as widows.
We have drank our water for money; our wood is sold to us.
Our necks {are} under persecution: we labor, {and} have no rest.
We have given the hand {to} the Egyptians, {and to} the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
Our fathers have sinned, {and are} not; and we have borne their iniquities.
Servants have ruled over us: {there is} none that doth deliver {us} out of their hand.
We procured our bread with {the peril of} our lives, because of the sword of the wilderness.
Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.
They ravished the women in Zion, {and} the maids in the cities of Judah.
Princes were hanged by their hand: the faces of elders were not honored.
They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.
The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music.
The joy of our heart hath ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.
The crown is fallen {from} our head: woe to us, that we have sinned!
For this our heart is faint; for these {things} our eyes are dim.
Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.
Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.
Why dost thou forget us for ever, {and} forsake us so long time?
Turn thou us to thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth {month} , in the fifth {day} of the month, as I {was} among the captives by the river of Kebar, {that} the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
In the fifth {day} of the month, which {was} the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
The word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Kebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness {was} about it, and from the midst of it as the color of amber, from the midst of the fire.
Also from the midst of it {came} the likeness of four living creatures. And this {was} their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
And their feet {were} straight feet; and the sole of their feet {was} like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished brass.
And {they had} the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
Their wings {were} joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Thus {were} their faces: and their wings {were} stretched upward; two {wings} of every one {were} joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; {and} they turned not when they went.
As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance {was} like burning coals of fire, {and} like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
The appearance of the wheels and their work {was} like the color of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work {was} as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
When they went, they went upon their four sides: {and} they returned not when they went.
As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings {were} full of eyes around them four.
And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither {was their} spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature {was} in the wheels.
When those went, {these} went; and when those stood, {these} stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature {was} in the wheels.
And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature {was} as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
And under the firmament {were} their wings straight, the one towards the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
And there was a voice from the firmament that {was} over their heads, when they stood, {and} had let down their wings.
And above the firmament that {was} over their heads {was} the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne {was} the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire around within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness on all sides.
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so {was} the appearance of the brightness around. This {was} the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw {it} , I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one speaking.
And he said to me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak to thee.
And the spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spoke to me.
And he said to me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me: {even} to this very day.
For {they are} impudent children and obstinate in heart. I send thee to them; and thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they {are} a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns {are} with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they {are} a rebellious house.
And thou shalt speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they {are} most rebellious.
But thou, son of man, hear what I say to thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that which I give thee.
And when I looked, behold, a hand {was} sent to me; and lo, a roll of a book {was} in it;
And he spread it before me: and it {was} written within and without: and {there was} written in it lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
Moreover he said to me, Son of man, eat what thou findest; eat this roll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.
And he said to me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat {it} ; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
And he said to me, Son of man, depart, go to the house of Israel, and speak with my words to them.
For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of a hard language, {but} to the house of Israel;
Not to many people of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened to thee.
But the house of Israel will not hearken to thee; for they will not hearken to me: for all the house of Israel {are} impudent and hard-hearted.
Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.
As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they {are} a rebellious house.
Moreover he said to me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to thee receive in thy heart, and hear with thy ears.
And depart, go to them of the captivity, to the children of thy people, and speak to them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, {saying} , Blessed {be} the glory of the LORD from his place.
{I heard} also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and the noise of a great rushing.
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.
Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Kebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
When I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked {man} shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
Yet if thou shalt warn the wicked, and he shall not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Again, When a righteous {man} doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
Nevertheless if thou shalt warn the righteous {man} , that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said to me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.
Then I arose, and went forth into the plain; and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Kebar: and I fell on my face.
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spoke with me, and said to me, Go, shut thyself within thy house.
But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they {are} a rebellious house.
But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they {are} a rebellious house.
Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, {even} Jerusalem;
And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set {battering} rams against it on every side.
Moreover take thou to thee an iron pan, and set it {for} a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This {shall be} a sign to the house of Israel.
Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: {according} to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.
For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.
And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
Therefore thou shalt set thy face towards the siege of Jerusalem, and thy arm {shall be} uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.
And behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege.
Take thou also to thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, {according} to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat of it.
And thy food which thou shalt eat {shall be} by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it.
Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of a hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.
And thou shalt eat it {as} barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with human excrement in their sight.
And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them.
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither hath abominable flesh come into my mouth.
Then he said to me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread with them.
Moreover he said to me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment.
That they may want bread and water, and be astonished one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.
And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause {it} to pass upon thy head and upon thy beard: then take to thee balances to weigh, and divide the {hair} .
Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, {and} smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.
Thou shalt also take of them a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.
Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire: from which a fire shall come forth into all the house of Israel.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; This {is} Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries {that are} around her.
And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that {are} around her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that {are} around you, {and} have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that {are} around you:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, {am} against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.
And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and the like to which I will not do any more, because of all thy abominations.
Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.
Wherefore, {as} I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thy abominations, therefore I will also diminish {thee} ; neither shall my eye spare, neither will I have any pity.
A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword around thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.
Thus shall my anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken {it} in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.
Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that {are} around thee, in the sight of all that pass by.
So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment to the nations that {are} around thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken {it} .
When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for {their} destruction, {and} which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:
So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken {it} .
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face towards the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,
And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, {even} I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.
And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain {men} before your idols.
And I will lay the dead carcasses of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones about your altars.
In all your dwelling-places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.
And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have {some} that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their apostate heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes which go astray after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.
And they shall know that I {am} the LORD, {and that} I have not said in vain that I would do this evil to them.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thy hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas, for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.
He that is far off shall die by the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.
Then shall ye know that I {am} the LORD, when their slain {men} shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they offered sweet savor to all their idols.
So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, even, more desolate than the wilderness towards Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD to the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
Now {is} the end {come} upon thee, and I will send my anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thy abominations.
And my eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thy abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.
An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.
The morning is come upon thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble {is} near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish my anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thy abominations.
And my eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thy abominations {that} are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD that smiteth.
Behold the day, behold, it is come; the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.
Violence hath risen into a rod of wickedness: none of them {shall remain} , nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither {shall there be} wailing for them.
The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath {is} upon all the multitude thereof.
For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision {is} concerning the whole multitude thereof, {which} shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.
They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath {is} upon all the multitude thereof:
The sword {is} without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that {is} in the field shall die with the sword; and he that {is} in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak {as} water.
They shall also gird {themselves} with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame {shall be} upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels because it is the stumbling-block of their iniquity.
As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations {and} of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.
My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret {place} : for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease, and their holy places shall be defiled.
Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and {there shall be} none.
Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumor shall be upon rumor; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders.
The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do to them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them, and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth {month} , in the fifth {day} of the month, {as} I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.
Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the color of amber.
And he put forth the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh towards the north; where {was} the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
And behold, the glory of the God of Israel {was} there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.
Then said he to me, Son of man, lift up thy eyes now the way towards the north. So I lifted up my eyes the way towards the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.
He said furthermore to me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? {even} the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should withdraw from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, {and} thou shalt see greater abominations.
And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.
Then said he to me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.
And he said to me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.
So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping animals, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed around upon the wall.
And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.
Then said he to me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.
He said also to me, Turn thee yet again, {and} thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.
Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which {was} towards the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
Then said he to me, Hast thou seen {this} , O son of man? turn thee yet again, {and} thou shalt see greater abominations than these.
And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, {were} about five and twenty men, with their backs towards the temple of the LORD, and their faces towards the east; and they worshiped the sun towards the east.
Then he said to me, Hast thou seen {this} , O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and lo, they put the branch to their nose.
Therefore will I also deal in fury: my eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, {yet} I will not hear them.
He cried also in my ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man {with} his destroying weapon in his hand.
And behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth towards the north, and every man a slaughter-weapon in his hand; and one man among them {was} clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in and stood beside the brazen altar.
And the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which he was, to the threshhold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, who {had} the writer's inkhorn by his side;
And the LORD said to him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst of it.
And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Slay utterly old {and} young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom {is} the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the elderly men who {were} before the house.
And he said to them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
Then said he to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah {is} exceeding great, and the land {is} full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
And as for me also, my eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, {but} I will recompense their way upon their head.
And behold, the man clothed with linen, who {had} the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Then I looked, and behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubim there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
And he spoke to the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, {even} under the cherub, and fill thy hand with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter {them} over the city. And he entered in my sight.
Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, {and stood} over the threshhold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
And the sound of the cherubim's wings was heard {even} to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
And it came to pass, {that} when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubim; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
And {one} cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubim, to the fire that {was} between the cherubim, and took {of it} , and put {it} into the hands of {him that was} clothed with linen: who took {it} , and went out.
And there appeared in the cherubim the form of a man's hand under their wings.
And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubim, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels {was} as the color of a beryl stone.
And {as for} their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked, they followed it; they turned not as they went.
And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, {were} full of eyes on every side, {even} the wheels that they four had.
As for the wheels, it was cried to them in my hearing, O wheel.
And every one had four faces: the first face {was} the face of a cherub, and the second face {was} the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
And the cherubim were lifted up. This {is} the living creature that I saw by the river of Kebar.
And when the cherubim went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
When they stood, {these} stood; and when they were lifted up, {these} lifted up themselves {also} : for the spirit of the living creature {was} in them.
Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshhold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.
And the cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also {were} beside them, and {every one} stood at the door of the east-gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel {was} over them above.
This {is} the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Kebar; and I knew that they {were} the cherubim.
Every one had four faces each, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man {was} under their wings.
And the likeness of their faces {was} the same faces which I saw by the river of Kebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east-gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold, at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
Then said he to me, Son of man, these {are} the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city:
Who say, {It is} not near; let us build houses: this {city is} the caldron, and we {are} the flesh.
Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
And the spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said to me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, {every one of} them.
Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled its streets with the slain.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they {are} the flesh, and this {city is} the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it.
Ye have feared the sword; and I will bring a sword upon you, saith the LORD GOD.
And I will bring you out of the midst of it, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.
Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
This {city} shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst of it; {but} I will judge you in the border of Israel:
And ye shall know that I {am} the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that {are} around you.
And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, thy brethren, {even} thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, {are} they to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Retire far from the LORD: to us is this land given in possession.
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away from thence all its detestable things, and all its abominations.
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
But {as for them} whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Then the cherubim raised their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel {was} over them above.
And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which {is} on the east side of the city.
Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.
Then I spoke to them of the captivity all the things that the LORD had shown me.
The word of the LORD also came to me, saying,
Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they {are} a rebellious house.
Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight; it may be they will consider, though they {are} a rebellious house.
Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at evening in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
In their sight shalt thou bear {it} upon {thy} shoulders, {and} carry {it} forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou mayest not see the ground: for I have set thee {for} a sign to the house of Israel.
And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the evening I digged through the wall with my hand; I brought {it} forth in the twilight, {and} I bore {it} upon {my} shoulder in their sight.
And in the morning came the word of the LORD to me, saying,
Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to thee, What doest thou?
Say thou to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD, This burden {concerneth} the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that {are} among them.
Say, I {am} your sign: as I have done, so shall it be done to them: they shall remove {and} go into captivity.
And the prince that {is} among them shall bear upon {his} shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he may not see the ground with {his} eyes.
My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon {to} the land of the Chaldeans, yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
And I will scatter towards every wind all that {are} about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.
And they shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with solicitude.
And say to the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, {and} of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with solicitude, and drink their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, what {is} that proverb {that} ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say to them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
For there shall no more be any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.
For I {am} the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall no more be prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, behold, {they of} the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth {is} for many days {to come} , and he prophesieth of the times {that are} distant.
Therefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be further deferred, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou to them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made {others} to hope that they would confirm the word.
Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith {it} , although I have not spoken?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I {am} against you, saith the Lord GOD.
And my hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I {am} the Lord GOD.
Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and {there was} no peace; and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered {mortar} :
Say to them who daub {it} with untempered {mortar} , that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend {it} .
Lo, when the wall hath fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where {is} the daubing with which ye have daubed {it} ?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend {it} with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in {my} fury to consume {it} .
So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered {mortar} , and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation shall be made bare, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst of it: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered {mortar} , and will say to you, The wall {is} no {more} , neither they that daubed it;
{To wit} , the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and {there is} no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the {women} that sew pillows to all arm-holes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive {that come} to you?
And will ye profane me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear {your} lies?
Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {am} against your pillows, with which ye there hunt the souls to make {them} fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, {even} the souls that ye hunt to make {them} fly.
Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall no more be in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Then came certain of the elders of Israel to me, and sat before me.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?
Therefore speak to them, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn {yourselves} from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, who separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh {to him} ;
That the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out my hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver their own souls only by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they lay it waste, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts:
{Though} these three men {were} in it, {as} I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.
Or {if} I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:
Though these three men {were} in it, {as} I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.
Or {if} I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:
Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, {were} in it, {as} I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall deliver their own souls only by their righteousness.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four severe judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
Yet behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, {both} sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth to you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, {even} concerning all that I have brought upon it.
And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, What is the vine-tree more than any tree, {or than} a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
Shall wood be taken of it to do any work? or will {men} take a pin of it to hang any vessel upon it?
Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it suitable for {any} work?
Behold, when it was whole, it was fit for no work: how much less then shall it be fit for {any} work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine-tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from {one} fire, and {another} fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I set my face against them.
And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD.
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD to Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity {is} of the land of Canaan; thy father {was} an Amorite, and thy mother a Hittite.
And {as for} thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple {thee} ; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.
No eye pitied thee, to do any of these to thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.
And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thy own blood, I said to thee {when thou wast} in thy blood, Live; yes, I said to thee {when thou wast} in thy blood, Live.
I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and become great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: {thy} breasts are fashioned, and thy hair is grown, whereas thou {wast} naked and bare.
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time {was} the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yes, I swore to thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
Then I washed thee with water; yes, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and ear-rings in thy ears, and a beautiful crown upon thy head.
Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment {was of} fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.
And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it {was} perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.
But thou didst trust in thy own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.
And of thy garments thou didst take, and deck thy high places with divers colors, and play the harlot upon them: {the like things} shall not come, neither shall it be {so} .
Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and hast made to thyself images of men, and hast committed lewdness with them.
And hast taken thy broidered garments, and covered them: and thou hast set my oil and my incense before them.
My provisions also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, {with which} I fed thee, thou hast even set before them for a sweet savor: and {thus} it was, saith the Lord GOD.
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne to me, and these hast thou sacrificed to them to be devoured. {Is this} of thy lewdness a small matter,
That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through {the fire} for them?
And in all thy abominations and thy deeds of lewdness thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, {and} wast polluted in thy blood.
And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe to thee! saith the Lord GOD;)
{That} thou hast also built to thee an eminent place, and hast made thee a high place in every street.
Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast prostituted thyself to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy lewd deeds.
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbors, great of flesh; and hast multiplied thy lewd deeds, to provoke me to anger.
Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thy ordinary {food} , and delivered thee to the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of thy lewd way.
Thou hast played the harlot also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insatiable; yes, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldst not be satisfied.
Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan to Chaldea; and yet with this thou wast not satisfied.
How weak is thy heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these {things} , the work of an imperious lewd woman;
In that thou buildest thy eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thy high place in every street; and hast not been as a harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
{But as} a wife that committeth adultery, {who} taketh strangers instead of her husband!
They give gifts to all lewd women: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come to thee on every side for thy lewdness.
And the contrary is in thee from {other} women in thy unlawful commerce, whereas none followeth thee to commit lewdness: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given to thee, therefore thou art contrary.
Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness exposed through thy carnal connection with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give to them;
Behold therefore, I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all {them} that thou hast loved, with all {them} that thou hast hated; I will even gather them on every side against thee, and will uncover thy nakedness to them, that they may see all thy nakedness.
And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.
And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thy eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.
And they shall burn thy houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
So will I make my fury towards thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.
Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast provoked me in all these {things} ; behold therefore, I also will recompense thy way upon {thy} head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thy abominations.
Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use {this} proverb against thee, saying, As {is} the mother, {so is} her daughter.
Thou {art} thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou {art} the sister of thy sisters, who lothed their husbands and their children: your mother {was} a Hittite, and your father an Amorite.
And thy elder sister {is} Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, {is} Sodom and her daughters.
Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but as {if that were} a very little {thing} , thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
{As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw {good} .
Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thy abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thy abominations which thou hast done.
Thou also, who hast judged thy sisters, bear thy own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yes, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.
When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then {will I bring again} the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them:
That thou mayest bear thy own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou art a comfort to them.
When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former state, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former state.
For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,
Before thy wickedness was disclosed, as at the time of {thy} reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all {that are} around her, the daughters of the Philistines, who despise thee on every side.
Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thy abominations, saith the LORD.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, who hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.
Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish to thee an everlasting covenant.
Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thy elder and thy younger: and I will give them to thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.
And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD:
That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, long-winged, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came to Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
He cropped off the top of its young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed {it} by great waters, {and} set it {as} a willow tree.
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned towards him, and its roots were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and behold, this vine did bend her roots towards him, and shot forth her branches towards him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up its roots, and cut off its fruit, that it may wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by its roots.
Yes, behold, {being} planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these {things mean} ? tell {them} , Behold, the king of Babylon hath come to Jerusalem, and hath taken its king, and its princes, and led them with him to Babylon;
And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath from him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, {but} that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
But he rebelled against him in sending his embassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such {things} ? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
{As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place {where} the king {dwelleth} that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, {even} with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Neither shall Pharaoh with {his} mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these {things} , he shall not escape.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; {As} I live, surely my oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even that will I recompense upon his own head.
And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered towards all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken {it} .
Thus saith the Lord God, I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set {it} ; I will crop off from the top of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant {it} upon a high mountain and eminent:
In the mountain of the hight of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shade of its branches shall they dwell.
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done {it} .
The word of the LORD came to me again, saying,
What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
{As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have {occasion} any more to use this proverb in Israel.
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
But if a man is just, and doeth that which is lawful and right,
{And} hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbor's wife, neither hath come near to a polluted woman,
And hath not oppressed any, {but} hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath stripped none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment:
He {that} hath not given forth upon interest, neither hath taken any increase, {that} hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he {is} just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
If he begetteth a son {that is} a robber, a shedder of blood, and {that} doeth the like to {any} one of these {things} ,
And that doeth not any of those {duties} , but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbor's wife,
Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath stripped by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination.
Hath given forth upon interest, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
Now lo, {if} he begetteth a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
{That} hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbor's wife,
Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withheld the pledge, neither hath stripped by violence, {but} hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
{That} hath taken off his hand from the poor, {that} hath not received interest nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
{As for} his father, because he cruelly oppressed, stripped his brother by violence, and did {that} which {is} not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, {and} hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned to him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: {and} not that he should return from his ways, and live?
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, {and} doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked {man} doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Yet ye say, The way of the LORD is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
When a righteous {man} turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
Again, when a wicked {man} turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the LORD is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn {yourselves} from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
Cast away from you all your transgressions, by which ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn {ye} , and live.
Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
And say, What {is} thy mother: A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.
And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains to the land of Egypt.
Now when she saw that she had waited, {and} her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, {and} made him a young lion.
And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, {and} devoured men.
And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fullness of it, by the noise of his roaring.
Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.
And they put him in custody in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.
Thy mother {is} like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
And she had strong rods for the scepters of them that bore rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her hight with the multitude of her branches.
But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.
And now she {is} planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.
And fire hath gone out of a rod of her branches, {which} hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod {to be} a scepter to rule. This {is} a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth {month} , the tenth {day} of the month, {that} certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
Then came the word of the LORD to me, saying,
Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord God; Are ye come to inquire of me? {As} I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge {them} ? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
And say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up my hand to the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up my hand to them, saying, I {am} the LORD your God;
In the day {that} I lifted up my hand to them, to bring them forth from the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which {is} the glory of all lands:
Then said I to them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I {am} the LORD your God.
But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken to me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the heathen, among whom they {were} , in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them forth from the land of Egypt.
Wherefore I caused them to go forth from the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
And I gave them my statutes, and showed them my judgments, which {if} a man doeth, he shall even live in them.
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I {am} the LORD that sanctify them.
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which {if} a man doeth, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
Yet also I lifted up my hand to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given {them} , flowing with milk and honey, which {is} the glory of all lands;
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Nevertheless my eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
But I said to their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
I {am} the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I {am} the LORD your God.
Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which {if} a man doeth, he shall even live in them: they profaned my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
I lifted up my hand to them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had profaned my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
Wherefore I gave them also statutes {that were} not good, and judgments by which they should not live;
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through {the fire} all the first-born, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I {am} the LORD.
Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
{For} when I had brought them into the land, {for} which I lifted up my hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savor, and poured out there their drink-offerings.
Then I said to them, What {is} the high place to which ye go? and its name is called Bamah to this day.
Wherefore say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye lewd deeds after their abominations?
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even to this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? {As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
{As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with an out-stretched arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries in which ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an out-stretched arm, and with fury poured out.
And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
As I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter {also} , if ye will not hearken to me: but profane ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
For on my holy mountain, on the mountain of the hight of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
I will accept you with your sweet savor, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries in which ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
And ye shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country {for} which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers.
And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings in which ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
And ye shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face towards the south, and drop {thy word} towards the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face towards Jerusalem, and drop {thy word} towards the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I {am} against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth from its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn my sword out of its sheath: it shall not return any more.
Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of {thy} loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.
And it shall be, when they say to thee, Why sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak {as} water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
It is sharpened to make a grievous slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, {as} every tree.
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: the sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it {shall be} upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon {thy} thigh.
Because {it is} a trial, and what if {the sword} contemneth even the rod? it shall be no {more} , saith the Lord GOD.
Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite {thy} hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it {is} the sword of the great {men that are} slain, which entereth into their private chambers.
I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that {their} heart may faint, and {their} ruins be multiplied: ah! {it is} made bright, {it is} sharpened for the slaughter.
Go thee one way or other, {either} on the right hand, {or} on the left, whithersoever thy face {is} set.
I will also smite my hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said {it} .
The word of the LORD came to me again, saying,
Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both {ways} shall come forth from one land: and choose thou a place, choose {it} at the head of the way to the city.
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.
For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he made {his} arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint {battering} rams against the gates, to cast a mount, {and} to build a fort.
And it shall be to them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are disclosed, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, {I say} , that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity {shall have} an end,
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this {shall} not {be} the same: exalt {him that is} low, and abase {him that is} high.
I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no {more} , until he cometh whose right it is; and I will give it {him} .
And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword {is} drawn: for the slaughter {it is} furbished, to consume because of the glittering:
While they see vanity to thee, while they divine a lie to thee, to bring thee upon the necks of {them that are} slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity {shall have} an end.
Shall I cause {it} to return into its sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
And I will pour out my indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, {and} skillful to destroy.
Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no {more} remembered: for I the LORD have spoken {it} .
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yes, thou shalt show her all her abominations.
Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.
Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself by thy idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come {even} to thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach to the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.
{Those that are} near, and {those that are} far from thee, shall mock thee, {who art} infamous {and} much troubled.
Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.
In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they oppressed the fatherless and the widow.
Thou hast despised my holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.
In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.
In thee have they uncovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbor's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken interest and increase, and thou hast greedily gained from thy neighbors by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
Behold, therefore I have smitten my hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.
Can thy heart endure, or can thy hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken {it} , and will do {it} .
And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.
And thou shalt take thy inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they {are} brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are {even} the dross of silver.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
{As} they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt {it} ; so will I gather {you} in my anger and in my fury, and I will leave {you there} , and melt you.
Yes, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst of it.
As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst of it; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, say to her, Thou {art} the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
{There is} a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst of her, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst of her.
Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shown {difference} between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
Her princes in the midst of her {are} like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, {and} to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered {mortar} , seeing vanity, and divining lies to them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.
The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have oppressed the poor and needy: yes, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Therefore have I poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:
And they committed lewd deeds in Egypt; they committed lewd deeds in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they were first corrupted.
And the names of them {were} Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bore sons and daughters. Thus {were} their names; Samaria {is} Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.
And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians {her} neighbors.
{Who were} clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
Thus she committed her lewd deeds with them, with all them {that were} the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.
Neither left she her lewd deeds {brought} from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they first corrupted her, and poured their impurities upon her.
Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.
These uncovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her.
And when her sister Aholibah saw {this} , she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her prostitutions more than her sister in {her} prostitutions.
She doted upon the Assyrians {her} neighbors, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.
Then I saw that she was defiled, {that} they {took} both one way.
And {that} she increased her prostitutions: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion.
Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes she doted upon them, and sent messengers to them into Chaldea.
And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their lewdness, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.
So she disclosed her lewd deeds, and exposed her nakedness: then my mind was alienated from her, as my mind was alienated from her sister.
Yet she multiplied her prostitutions, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, in which she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.
For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh {is as} the flesh of asses, and whose issue {is like} the issue of horses.
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, by being corrupted by the Egyptians in thy youth.
Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side;
The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, {and} all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses.
And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of people, {which} shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet on every side: and I will set judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments.
And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thy ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.
They shall also strip thee of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels.
Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy adultery {brought} from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thy eyes to them, nor remember Egypt any more.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand {of them} whom thou hatest, into the hand {of them} from whom thy mind is alienated:
And they shall treat thee with hatred, and shall take away all thy labor, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy prostitutions shall be disclosed, both thy lewdness and thy prostitutions.
I will do these {things} to thee, because thou hast gone astray after the heathen, {and} because thou art polluted with their idols.
Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thy hand.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be treated with scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.
Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.
Thou shalt even drink it, and empty it to the dregs, and thou shalt break its pieces, and pluck off thy own breasts: for I have spoken {it} , saith the Lord GOD.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy prostitutions.
The LORD said moreover to me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yes, declare to them their abominations;
That they have committed adultery, and blood {is} in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through {the fire} , to devour {them} .
Moreover this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.
For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and lo, thus have they done in the midst of my house.
And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, to whom a messenger {was} sent; and lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paint thy eyes, and deck thyself with ornaments,
And sattest upon a stately bed and a table prepared before it, upon which thou hast set my incense and my oil.
And a voice of a multitude being at ease {was} with her: and with the men of the common sort {were} brought Sabeans from the wilderness, who put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.
Then said I to {her that was} old in adulteries, Will they now commit lewd deeds with her, and she {with them} ?
Yet they went in to her, as they go in to a woman that playeth the harlot: so they went in to Aholah and to Aholibah, the lewd women.
And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they {are} adulteresses, and blood {is} in their hands.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and plundered.
And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn their houses with fire.
Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.
And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I {am} the Lord GOD.
Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth {day} of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, Write for thee the name of the day, {even} of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
And utter a parable to the rebellious house, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set {it} on, and also pour water into it:
Gather its pieces into it, {even} every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill {it} with the choice bones.
Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, {and} make it boil well, and let them boil its bones in it.
Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum {is} therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.
For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;
That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great.
Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned.
Then set it empty upon its coals, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and {that} the filthiness of it may be melted in it, {that} the scum of it may be consumed.
She hath wearied {herself} with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum {shall be} in the fire.
In thy filthiness {is} lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
I the LORD have spoken {it} ; it shall come to pass, and I will do {it} ; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thy eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thy head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not {thy} lips, and eat not the bread of men.
So I spoke to the people in the morning: and at evening my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
And the people said to me, Wilt thou not tell us what these {things are} to us, that thou doest {so} ?
Then I answered them, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Speak to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellence of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover {your} lips, nor eat the bread of men.
And your tires {shall be} upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one towards another.
Thus Ezekiel is to you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I {am} the Lord GOD.
Also, thou son of man, {shall it} not {be} in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that on which they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,
{That} he that escapeth in that day shall come to thee, to cause {thee} to hear {it} with {thy} ears?
In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him who hath escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign to them; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
And say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching-place for flocks: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped {thy} hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
Behold, therefore I will stretch out my hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah {is} like all the heathen;
Therefore behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities {which are} on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim,
To the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out my hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy {it} for the old hatred;
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out my hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first {day} of the month, {that} the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, because that Tyre hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken {that was} the gates of the people: she is turned to me: I shall be replenished, {now} she is laid waste:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {am} against thee, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth its waves to come up.
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
It shall be {a place for} the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken {it} , saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.
And her daughters who {are} in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyre Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.
He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.
And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.
By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city in which is made a breach.
With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.
And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.
And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.
And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be {a place} to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken {it} , saith the Lord GOD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyre; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?
Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at {every} moment, and be astonished at thee.
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, {that wast} inhabited by sea-faring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who cause their terror {to be} on all that haunt it!
Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yes, the isles that {are} in the sea shall be disturbed at thy departure.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;
When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;
I will make thee a terror, and thou {shalt be} no {more} : though thou shalt be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre;
And say to Tyre, O thou that art situated at the entry of the sea, {which art} a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyre, thou hast said, I {am} of perfect beauty.
Thy borders {are} in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
They have made all thy {ship} -boards of fir-trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.
{Of} the oaks of Bashan have they made thy oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches {of} ivory, {brought} out of the isles of Chittim.
Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise {men} , O Tyre, {that} were in thee, were thy pilots.
The ancients of Gebal and its wise {men} were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thy army, thy military men: they hung the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
The men of Arvad with thy army {were} upon thy walls on all sides, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hung their shields upon thy walls on every side; they have made thy beauty perfect.
Tarshish {was} thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all {kind of} riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they {were} thy merchants: they traded in the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
The men of Dedan {were} thy merchants; many isles {were} the merchandise of thy hand: they brought thee {for} a present horns of ivory and ebony.
Syria {was} thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
Judah, and the land of Israel, they {were} thy merchants: they traded in thy market in wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
Damascus {was} thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
Dedan {was} thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.
Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these {were they} thy merchants.
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they {were} thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, {and} Chilmad, {were} thy merchants.
These {were} thy merchants in all sorts {of things} , in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market; and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.
Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy military men, that {are} in thee, and in all thy company which {is} in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
And all that handle the oar, the mariners, {and} all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;
And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird themselves with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart {and} bitter wailing.
And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, {saying} , What {city is} like Tyre, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.
In the time {when} thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be terribly afraid, they shall be troubled in {their} countenance.
The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never {shalt be} any more.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy heart {is} lifted up, and thou hast said, I {am} a god, I sit {in} the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou {art} a man, and not God, though thou settest thy heart as the heart of God:
Behold, thou {art} wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
With thy wisdom and with thy understanding thou hast gained for thee riches, and hast gained gold and silver into thy treasures:
By thy great wisdom {and} by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thy heart as the heart of God;
Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.
They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of {them that are} slain in the midst of the seas.
Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I {am} God? but thou {shalt be} a man, and no god, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken {it} , saith the Lord GOD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone {was} thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
Thou {art} the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee {so} : thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Thou {wast} perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thy iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never {shalt} thou {be} any more.
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {am} against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.
For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And there shall be no more a pricking brier to the house of Israel, nor {any} grieving thorn of all {that are} around them, that despised them; and they shall know that I {am} the Lord GOD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them around them; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD their God.
In the tenth year, in the tenth {month} , in the twelfth {day} of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:
Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {am} against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river {is} my own, and I have made {it} for myself.
But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick to thy scales, and I will bring thee out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick to thy scales.
And I will leave thee {thrown} into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for food to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of heaven.
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I {am} the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou didst break, and make all their loins to be at a stand.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee.
And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD: because he hath said, The river {is} mine, and I have made {it} .
Behold, therefore, I {am} against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste {and} desolate, from the tower of Syene even to the border of Cush.
No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.
And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries {that are} desolate, and her cities among the cities {that are} laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:
And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return {into} the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.
It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth {their} iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I {am} the Lord GOD.
And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first {month} , in the first {day} of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre: every head {was} made bald, and every shoulder {was} peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyre, for the service that he had served against it:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.
I have given him the land of Egypt {for} his labor with which he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.
In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye, Alas the day!
For the day {is} near, even the day of the LORD {is} near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.
And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Cush, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
Cush, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Kub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.
And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries {that are} desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities {that are} wasted.
And they shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and {when} all her helpers shall be destroyed.
In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Cushites afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for lo, it cometh.
Thus saith the Lord God; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.
And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is in it, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken {it} .
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause {their} images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.
And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No.
And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph {shall have} distresses daily.
The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these {cities} shall go into captivity.
At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.
Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first {month} , in the seventh {day} of the month, {that} the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {am} against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded {man} .
But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third {month} , in the first {day} of the month, {that} the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
Behold, the Assyrian {was} a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shady cover, and of a high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round his plants, and sent out her little rivers to all the trees of the field.
Therefore his hight was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.
All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shade dwelt all great nations.
Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir-trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut-trees were not like his branches; not any tree in the garden of God was like to him in his beauty.
I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that {were} in the garden of God, envied him.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in hight, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his hight;
I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.
And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth have gone down from his shade, and have left him.
Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their hight, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their hight, all that drink water: for they are all delivered to death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained its floods, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.
I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to the grave with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.
They also went down into the grave with him to {them that are} slain with the sword; and {they that were} his arm, {that} dwelt under his shade in the midst of the heathen.
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden to the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with {them that are} slain by the sword. This {is} Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first {day} of the month, {that} the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say to him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou {art} as a whale in the seas: and thou didst come forth with thy rivers, and disturb the waters with thy feet, and render their rivers foul.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.
Then will I leave thee upon the land, and I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.
And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy hight.
I will also water with thy blood the land in which thou swimmest, {even} to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.
And when I shall extinguish thee, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.
All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD.
I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries which thou hast not known.
Yes, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at {every} moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall.
For thus saith the Lord God; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.
By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall lay waste the pomp of Egypt, and all its multitude shall be destroyed.
I will destroy also all its beasts from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man disturb them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts disturb them.
Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord GOD.
When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that of which it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell in it, then shall they know that I {am} the LORD.
This {is} the lamentation with which they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, {even} for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth {day} of the month, {that} the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, {even} her, and the daughters of the famous nations, to the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.
Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.
They shall fall in the midst of {them that are} slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes.
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of the grave with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
Asshur {is} there and all her company: his graves {are} about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword:
Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is around her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who caused terror in the land of the living.
There {is} Elam and all her multitude around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, who caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.
They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves {are} around him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of {them that are} slain.
There {is} Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves {are} around him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.
And they shall not lie with the mighty {that are} fallen of the uncircumcised, who are gone down to the grave, with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though {they were} the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
Yes, thou shalt be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, and shalt lie with {them that are} slain with the sword.
There {is} Edom, her kings, and all her princes, who with their might are laid by {them that were} slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit.
There {are} the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, who are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with {them that are} slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.
Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted over all his multitude, {even} Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.
For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with {them that are} slain with the sword, {even} Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say to them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their borders, and set him for their watchman:
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he shall blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
Then whoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword shall come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
But if the watchman shall see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword shall come, and take {any} person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
When I say to the wicked, O wicked {man} , thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked {man} shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
Nevertheless, if thou shalt warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he shall not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak to the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins {are} upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?
Say to them, {As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked should turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Therefore, thou son of man, say to the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his {righteousness} in the day that he sinneth.
When I shall say to the righteous, {that} he shall surely live; if he shall trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
Again, when I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he shall turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
{If} the wicked shall restore the pledge, give again that which he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned to him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the LORD is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.
When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, for that he shall even die.
But if the wicked shall turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, for that he shall live.
Yet ye say, The way of the LORD is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth {month} , in the fifth {day} of the month, {that} one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came to me, saying, The city is smitten.
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, before he that had escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we {are} many; the land is given to us for inheritance.
Wherefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes towards your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?
Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbor's wife: and shall ye possess the land?
Say thou thus to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; {As} I live, surely they that {are} in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that {is} in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that {are} in the forts and in the caves shall die by the pestilence.
For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.
Then shall they know that I {am} the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.
Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.
And they come to thee as the people come, and they sit before thee {as} my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, {but} their heart goeth after their covetousness.
And lo, thou {art} to them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do not perform them.
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe {be} to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe yourselves with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: {but} ye feed not the flock.
The diseased ye have not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up {that which was} broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
And they were scattered, because {there is} no shepherd: and they became food to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yes, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek {for them} .
Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
{As} I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became food to every beast of the field, because {there was} no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I {am} against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {even} I, will both search for my sheep, and seek them out.
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep {that are} scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and {in} a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up {that which was} broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
And {as for} you, O my flock, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he-goats.
{Seemeth it} a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drank of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
And {as for} my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD to them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, {even} my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken {it} .
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
And I will make them and the places around my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there shall be showers of blessing.
And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that subjected them to service.
And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make {them} afraid.
And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.
Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God {am} with them, and {that} they, {even} the house of Israel, {are} my people, saith the Lord GOD.
And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, {are} men, {and} I {am} your God, saith the Lord GOD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,
And say to it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I {am} against thee, and I will stretch out my hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.
I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD.
Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed {the blood of} the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time {that their} iniquity {had} an end:
Therefore, {as} I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee to blood, and blood shall pursue thee: since thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth.
And I will fill his mountains with his slain {men} : in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword.
I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:
Therefore, {as} I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thy anger, and according to thy envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.
And thou shalt know that I {am} the LORD, {and that} I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.
Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard {them} .
Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate.
As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do to thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Edom, {even} all of it: and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Also thou son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy had said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:
Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made {you} desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession to the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and {are} an infamy of the people:
Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that {are} around;
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Edom, who have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all {their} heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.
Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up my hand, Surely the heathen that {are} about you, they shall bear their shame.
But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.
For behold, I {am} for you, and I will turn to you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:
And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, {even} all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be built.
And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old states, and will do better {to you} than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Yes, I will cause men to walk upon you, {even} my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them {of men} .
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they say to you, Thou {land} devourest men, and hast bereaved thy nations;
Therefore thou shalt devour men no more, neither bereave thy nations any more, saith the Lord GOD.
Neither will I cause {men} to hear in thee the shame of the heathen any more, neither shalt thou bear the reproach of the people any more, neither shalt thou cause thy nations to fall any more, saith the Lord GOD.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.
Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols {with which} they had polluted it:
And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.
And when they entered among the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These {are} the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.
But I had pity for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not {this} for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for my holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I {am} the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do {them} .
And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that {were} not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations.
Not for your sakes do I {this} , saith the Lord GOD, be it known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause {you} to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be built.
And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities {are become} fortified, {and} are inhabited.
Then the heathen that are left around you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined {places} , {and} plant that which was desolate: I the LORD have spoken {it} , and I will do {it} .
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet {for} this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do {it} for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.
As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which {was} full of bones,
And caused me to pass by them around: and behold, {there were} very many in the open valley; and lo, {they were} very dry.
And he said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? and I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
Again he said to me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say to them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
Thus saith the Lord GOD to these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but {there was} no breath in them.
Then said he to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
Then he said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
And ye shall know that I {am} the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you out of your graves,
And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken {it} , and performed {it} , saith the LORD.
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and {for} all the house of Israel his companions:
And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thy hand.
And when the children of thy people shall speak to thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou {meanest} by these?
Say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which {is} in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, {even} with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in my hand.
And the sticks on which thou writest shall be in thy hand before their eyes.
And say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling-places, in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
And David my servant {shall be} king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
And they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, in which your fathers have dwelt, and they shall dwell in it, {even} they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David {shall be} their prince for ever.
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
My tabernacle also shall be with them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for ever.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I {am} against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thy army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts {of armor} , {even} a great company {with} bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
Persia, Cush, and Phut with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: {and} many people with thee.
Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled to thee, and be thou a guard to them.
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land {that is} brought back from the sword, {and is} gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall all dwell in safety.
Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, {that} at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thy hand upon the desolate places {that are now} inhabited, and upon the people {that are} gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all its young lions, shall say to thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know {it} ?
And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:
And thou shalt come against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; {Art} thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days {many} years, that I would bring thee against them?
And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, {that} my fury shall come up in my face.
For in my jealousy {and} in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel.
So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping animals that creep upon the earth, and all the men that {are} upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be overturned, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.
And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that {are} with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I {am} against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
And I will strike thy bow out of thy left hand, and I will cause thy arrows to fall from thy right hand.
Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that {are} with thee: I will give thee to the ravenous birds of every sort, and {to} the beasts of the field to be devoured.
Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken {it} , saith the Lord GOD.
And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I {am} the LORD.
So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not {let them} profane my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I {am} the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this {is} the day of which I have spoken.
And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaffs, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down {any} out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall lay waste those that wasted them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} I will give to Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the {noses} of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call {it} The valley of Hamon-gog.
And seven months shall the house of Israel be in burying them, that they may cleanse the land.
Yes, all the people of the land shall bury {them} : and it shall be to them a renown in the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.
And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search.
And {as} passengers pass through the land, when {any} seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.
And also the name of the city {shall be} Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land.
And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak to every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, {even} a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.
Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
And ye shall eat fat till ye are full, and drink blood till ye are drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.
Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.
And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
So the house of Israel shall know that I {am} the LORD their God from that day and forward.
And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore I hid my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so they all fell by the sword.
According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done to them, and hid my face from them.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
After they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses by which they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made {them} afraid.
When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of the lands of their enemies, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
Then shall they know that I {am} the LORD their God, who caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them to their own land, and have left none of them there any more.
Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth {day} of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was smitten, in the same day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.
In the visions of God he brought me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which {was} as the frame of a city on the south.
And he brought me thither, and behold, {there was} a man, whose appearance {was} like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
And the man said to me, Son of man, behold with thy eyes, and hear with thy ears, and set thy heart upon all that I shall show thee; for, to the intent that I might show {them} to thee {art} thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.
And behold a wall on the outside of the house around, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits {long} by the cubit and a hand-breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed: and the hight, one reed.
Then he came to the gate which looketh towards the east, and ascended its stairs, and measured the threshhold of the gate, {which was} one reed broad; and the other threshhold {of the gate} , {which was} one reed broad.
And {every} little chamber {was} one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers {were} five cubits; and the threshhold of the gate by the porch of the gate within {was} one reed.
He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.
Then he measured the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and its posts, two cubits; and the porch of the gate {was} inward.
And the little chambers of the gate eastward {were} three on this side, and three on that side; they three {were} of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.
And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; {and} the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.
The space also before the little chambers {was} one cubit {on this side} , and the space {was} one cubit on that side: and the little chambers {were} six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.
He measured then the gate from the roof of {one} little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth {was} five and twenty cubits, door against door.
He made also posts of sixty cubits; even to the post of the court around the gate.
And from the face of the gate of the entrance to the face of the porch of the inner gate {were} fifty cubits.
And {there were} narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate around, and likewise to the arches: and windows {were} around inward: and upon {each} post {were} palm-trees.
Then he brought me into the outward court, and lo, {there were} chambers, and a pavement made for the court around: thirty chambers {were} upon the pavement.
And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates {was} the lower pavement.
Then he measured the breadth from the front of the lower gate to the front of the inner court without, a hundred cubits eastward and northward.
And the gate of the outward court that looked towards the north, he measured its length, and its breadth.
And the little chambers of it {were} three on this side and three on that side; and its posts and its arches were after the measure of the first gate; its length {was} fifty cubits, and its breadth five and twenty cubits.
And their windows, and their arches, and their palm-trees, {were} after the measure of the gate that looketh towards the east; and they went up to it by seven steps; and its arches {were} before them.
And the gate of the inner court {was} over against the gate towards the north, and towards the east; and he measured from gate to gate a hundred cubits.
After that he brought me towards the south, and behold a gate towards the south: and he measured its posts and its arches according to these measures.
And {there were} windows in it and in its arches around, like those windows: the length {was} fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
And {there were} seven steps to go up to it, and its arches {were} before them: and it had palm-trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon its posts.
And {there was} a gate in the inner court towards the south: and he measured from gate to gate towards the south a hundred cubits.
And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate; and he measured the south gate according to these measures;
And its little chambers, and its posts, and its arches, according to these measures; and {there were} windows in it and in its arches around: {it was} fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
And the arches around {were} five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.
And its arches {were} towards the outer court; and palm-trees {were} upon its posts: and the ascent to it {had} eight steps.
And he brought me into the inner court towards the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
And its little chambers, and its posts, and its arches, {were} according to these measures; and {there were} windows in it and in its arches around: {it was} fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
And its arches {were} towards the outward court; and palm-trees were upon its posts, on this side, and on that side: and the ascent to it {had} eight steps.
And he brought me to the north gate, and measured {it} according to these measures;
Its little chambers, its posts, and its arches, and the windows to it around: the length {was} fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
And its posts {were} towards the outer court; and palm-trees {were} upon its posts, on this side, and on that side: and the ascent to it {had} eight steps.
And the chambers and its entries {were} by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt-offering.
And in the porch of the gate {were} two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay upon it the burnt-offering and the sin-offering and the trespass-offering.
And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, {were} two tables; and on the other side, which {was} at the porch of the gate, {were} two tables.
Four tables {were} on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, upon which they slew {their sacrifices} .
And the four tables {were} of hewn stone for the burnt-offering, of a cubit and a half long, and a cubit and a half broad, and one cubit high: upon which also they laid the instruments with which they slew the burnt-offering and the sacrifice.
And within {were} hooks, a hand broad, fastened around: and upon the tables {was} the flesh of the offering.
And without the inner gate {were} the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which {was} at the side of the north gate; and their prospect {was} towards the south: one at the side of the east gate {having} the prospect towards the north.
And he said to me, This chamber, whose prospect {is} towards the south, {is} for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house.
And the chamber whose prospect {is} towards the north {is} for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these {are} the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, who come near to the LORD to minister to him.
So he measured the court, a hundred cubits long, and a hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar {that was} before the house.
And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured {each} post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate {was} three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side.
The length of the porch {was} twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and {he brought me} by the steps by which they went up to it: and {there were} pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side.
Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, {which was} the breadth of the tabernacle.
And the breadth of the door {was} ten cubits; and the sides of the door {were} five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length of it forty cubits: and the breadth, twenty cubits.
Then he went inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.
So he measured the length of it twenty cubits; and the breadth, twenty cubits, before the temple: and he said to me, This {is} the most holy {place} .
Afterward he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of {every} side-chamber, four cubits, round the house on every side.
And the side-chambers {were} three, one over another, and thirty in order; and they entered into the wall which {was} of the house for the side-chambers around, that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the wall of the house.
And {there was} an enlarging, and a winding about still upward to the side-chambers: for the winding about of the house went still upward around the house; therefore the breadth of the house {was still} upward, and so increased {from} the lowest {chamber} to the highest by the midst.
I saw also the hight of the house around: the foundations of the side-chambers {were} a full reed of six great cubits.
The thickness of the wall, which {was} for the side-chamber without, {was} five cubits: and {that} which {was} left {was} the place of the side-chambers that {were} within.
And between the chambers {was} the width of twenty cubits around the house on every side.
And the doors of the side-chambers {were} towards {the place that was} left, one door towards the north, and another door towards the south: and the breadth of the place that was left {was} five cubits around.
Now the building that was before the separate place at the end towards the west {was} seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building {was} five cubits thick around, and its length ninety cubits.
So he measured the house, a hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with its walls, a hundred cubits long;
Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place towards the east, a hundred cubits.
And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which {was} behind it, and its galleries on the one side and on the other side, a hundred cubits, with the inner temple, and the porches of the court;
The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries around on their three stories, over against the door, ceiled with wood around, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows {were} covered;
To that above the door, even to the inner house, and without, and by all the wall around within and without, by measure.
And {it was} made with cherubim and palm-trees, so that a palm-tree {was} between a cherub and a cherub; and {every} cherub had two faces;
So that the face of a man {was} towards the palm-tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion towards the palm-tree on the other side: {it was} made through all the house around.
From the ground to above the door {were} cherubim and palm-trees made, and {on} the wall of the temple.
The posts of the temple {were} squared, {and} the face of the sanctuary; the appearance {of the one} as the appearance {of the other} .
The altar of wood {was} three cubits high, and its length two cubits; and its corners, and its length, and its walls, {were} of wood: and he said to me, This {is} the table that {is} before the LORD.
And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors.
And the doors had two leaves each, two turning leaves; two {leaves} for the one door, and two leaves for the other {door} .
And {there were} made on them, on the doors of the temple, cherubim and palm-trees, as {were} made upon the walls; and {there were} thick planks upon the face of the porch without.
And {there were} narrow windows and palm-trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides of the porch, and {upon} the side-chambers of the house, and thick planks.
Then he brought me forth into the outer court, the way towards the north: and he brought me into the chamber that {was} over against the separate place, and which {was} before the building towards the north.
Before the length of a hundred cubits {was} the north door, and the breadth {was} fifty cubits.
Over against the twenty {cubits} which {were} for the inner court, and over against the pavement which {was} for the outer court, {was} gallery against gallery in three {stories} .
And before the chambers {was} a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors towards the north.
Now the upper chambers {were} shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.
For they {were} in three {stories} , but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore {the building} was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.
And the wall that {was} without over against the chambers, towards the outer court on the forepart of the chambers, the length of it {was} fifty cubits.
For the length of the chambers that {were} in the outer court {was} fifty cubits: and lo, before the temple {were} a hundred cubits.
And from under these chambers {was} the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the outer court.
The chambers {were} in the thickness of the wall of the court towards the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.
And the way before them {was} like the appearance of the chambers which {were} towards the north, as long as they, {and} as broad as they: and all their goings out {were} both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.
And according to the doors of the chambers that {were} towards the south {was} a door in the head of the way, {even} the way directly before the wall towards the east, as one entereth into them.
Then said he to me, The north chambers {and} the south chambers which {are} before the separate place, they {are} holy chambers, where the priests that approach to the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; for the place {is} holy.
When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy {place} into the outer court, but there they shall lay their garments in which they minister; for they {are} holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to {those things} which {are} for the people.
Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth towards the gate whose prospect {is} towards the east, and measured it around.
He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed around.
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed around.
He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
He turned about to the west side, {and} measured five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall around, five hundred {reeds} long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Afterward he brought me to the gate, {even} the gate that looketh towards the east:
And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice {was} like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
And {it was} according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, {even} according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions {were} like the vision that I saw by the river Kebar; and I fell upon my face.
And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect {is} towards the east.
So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.
And I heard {him} speaking to me out of the house; and the man stood by me.
And he said to me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, {neither} they, nor their kings, by their lewd deeds, nor by the carcasses of their kings in their high places.
In their setting of their threshhold by my threshholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in my anger.
Now let them put away their lewd deeds, and the carcasses of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.
Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.
And if they shall be ashamed of all that they have done, show them the form of the house, and the fashion of it, and its goings out, and its comings in, and all its forms, and all its ordinances, and all its forms, and all its laws: and write {it} in their sight, that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them.
This {is} the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit of it around {shall be} most holy. Behold, this {is} the law of the house.
And these {are} the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit {is} a cubit and a hand-breadth; even the bottom {shall be} a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border of it by its edge around {shall be} a span: and this {shall be} the higher place of the altar.
And from the bottom {upon} the ground {even} to the lower settle {shall be} two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle {even} to the greater settle {shall be} four cubits, and the breadth {one} cubit.
So the altar {shall be} four cubits; and from the altar and upward {shall be} four horns.
And the altar {shall be} twelve {cubits} long, twelve broad, square in the four squares of it.
And the settle {shall be} fourteen {cubits} long and fourteen broad in its four squares; and the border about it {shall be} half a cubit; and the bottom of it {shall be} a cubit about; and its stairs shall look towards the east.
And he said to me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These {are} the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt-offerings upon it, and to sprinkle blood upon it.
And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that are of the seed of Zadok, who approach to me, to minister to me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin-offering.
And thou shalt take of his blood, and put {it} on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border around: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin-offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.
And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin-offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed {it} with the bullock.
When thou hast made an end of cleansing {it} , thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them {for} a burnt-offering to the LORD.
Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat {for} a sin-offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
And when these days have expired, it shall be, {that} upon the eighth day, and {so} forward, the priests shall make your burnt-offerings upon the altar, and your peace-offerings: and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.
Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh towards the east; and it {was} shut.
Then said the LORD to me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD the God of Israel hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.
{It is} for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of {that} gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.
Then he brought me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.
And the LORD said to me, Son of man mark well, and behold with thy eyes, and hear with thy ears all that I say to thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all its laws; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary;
And thou shalt say to the rebellious, {even} to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations;
In that ye have brought {into my sanctuary} strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, {even} my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that {is} among the children of Israel.
And the Levites that have gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, {having} charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt-offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.
And they shall not come near to me, to do the office of a priest to me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy {place} : but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed.
But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all its service, and for all that shall be done therein.
But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister to me, and they shall stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:
They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge.
And it shall come to pass, {that} when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird {themselves} with any thing that causeth sweat.
And when they go forth into the outer court, {even} into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.
Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.
And they shall teach my people the {difference} between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; {and} they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.
And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.
And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon to him seven days.
And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, to the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin-offering, saith the Lord GOD.
And it shall be to them for an inheritance: I {am} their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I {am} their possession.
They shall eat the meat-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs.
And the first of all the first-fruits of all {things} , and every oblation of all, of every {sort} of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give to the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thy house.
The priests shall not eat of any thing that is dead of itself, or torn, whether of fowl or beast.
Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation to the LORD, a holy portion of the land: the length {shall be} the length of five and twenty thousand {reeds} , and the breadth {shall be} ten thousand. This {shall be} holy in all its borders on every side.
Of this there shall be for the sanctuary five hundred {in length} , with five hundred {in breadth} , square around; and fifty cubits around for the suburbs of it.
And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary {and} the most holy {place} .
The holy {portion} of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, who shall come near to minister to the LORD: and it shall be a place for their houses, and a holy place for the sanctuary.
And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth, shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers.
And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy {portion} : it shall be for the whole house of Israel.
And {a portion shall be} for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy {portion} , and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy {portion} , and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length {shall be} over against one of the portions, from the west border to the east border.
In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and {the rest of} the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.
Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.
The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of a homer, and the ephah the tenth part of a homer: the measure of it shall be after the homer.
And the shekel {shall be} twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.
This {is} the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of a homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of a homer of barley;
Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, {ye shall offer} the tenth part of a bath out of the cor, {which is} a homer of ten baths: for ten baths {are} a homer:
And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat-offering, and for a burnt-offering, and for peace-offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD.
All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel.
And it shall be the prince's part {to give} burnt-offerings, and meat-offerings, and drink-offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin-offering, and the meat-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first {month} , in the first {day} of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin-offering, and put {it} upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court.
And so thou shalt do the seventh {day} of the month for every one that erreth, and for {him that is} simple: so shall ye reconcile the house.
In the first {month} , in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock {for} a sin-offering.
And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt-offering to the LORD, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily {for} a sin-offering.
And he shall prepare a meat-offering of an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and a hin of oil for an ephah.
In the seventh {month} , in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin-offering, according to the burnt-offering, and according to the meat-offering, and according to the oil.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh towards the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.
And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of {that} gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priest shall prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings, and he shall worship at the threshhold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.
Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons.
And the burnt-offering that the prince shall offer to the LORD in the sabbath day {shall be} six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.
And the meat-offering {shall be} an ephah for a ram, and the meat-offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and a hin of oil to an ephah.
And in the day of the new moon {it shall be} a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish.
And he shall prepare a meat-offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall be able, and a hin of oil to an ephah.
And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of {that} gate, and he shall go forth by the way of it.
But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate by which he came in, but shall go forth over against it.
And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth.
And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat-offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and a hin of oil to an ephah.
Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt-offering or peace-offerings voluntarily to the LORD, {one} shall then open to him the gate that looketh towards the east, and he shall prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings, as he did on the sabbath-day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth {one} shall shut the gate.
Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt-offering to the LORD {of} a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.
And thou shalt prepare a meat-offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of a hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat-offering continually by a perpetual ordinance to the LORD.
Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat-offering, and the oil, every morning {for} a continual burnt-offering.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince shall give a gift to any of his sons, the inheritance of it shall be to his sons; it {shall be} their possession by inheritance.
But if he shall give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; afterward it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be to his sons for them.
Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; {but} he shall give his sons' inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.
Afterward he brought me through the entry, which {was} at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers of the priests, which looked towards the north: and behold, there {was} a place on the two sides westward.
Then said he to me, This {is} the place where the priests shall boil the trespass-offering and the sin-offering, where they shall bake the meat-offering; that they bear {them} not out into the outer court, to sanctify the people.
Then he brought me forth into the outer court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and behold, in every corner of the court {there was} a court.
In the four corners of the court {there were} courts joined of forty {cubits} long and thirty broad: these four corners {were} of one measure.
And {there was} a row {of building} around in them, around them four, and {it was} made with boiling places under the rows around.
Then said he to me, These {are} the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people.
Afterward he brought me again to the door of the house; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshhold of the house eastward: for the front of the house {stood towards} the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south {side} of the altar.
Then he brought me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without to the outer gate by the way that looketh eastward; and behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters {were} to the ankles.
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters {were} to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters {were} to the loins.
Afterward he measured a thousand; {and it was} a river that I could not pass over: for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
And he said to me, Son of man, hast thou seen {this} ? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river {were} very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Then said he to me, These waters issue out towards the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: {which being} brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, {that} every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
And it shall come to pass, {that} the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even to En-eglaim; they shall be a {place} to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, very numerous.
But its miry places and its marshes shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
And by the river upon its bank, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for food, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall its fruit be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to its months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for medicine.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; This {shall be} the border, by which ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph {shall have two} portions.
And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: {concerning} which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall to you for inheritance.
And this {shall be} the border of the land towards the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which {is} between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which {is} by the border of Hauran.
And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And {this is} the north side.
And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel {by} Jordan, from the border to the east sea. And {this is} the east side.
And the south side southward, from Tamar {even} to the waters of strife {in} Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And {this is} the south side southward.
The west side also {shall be} the great sea from the border, till a man cometh over against Hamath. This {is} the west side.
So shall ye divide this land to you according to the tribes of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, {that} ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be to you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, {that} in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give {him} his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.
Now these {are} the names of the tribes. From the north end to the border of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus northward, to the limit of Hamath; for these are his sides east {and} west; a {portion for} Dan.
And by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west side, a {portion for} Asher.
And by the border of Asher, from the east side even to the west side, a {portion for} Naphtali.
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, a {portion for} Manasseh.
And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west side, a {portion for} Ephraim.
And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even to the west side, a {portion for} Reuben.
And by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west side, a {portion for} Judah.
And by the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand {reeds in} breadth, and {in} length as one of the {other} parts, from the east side to the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.
The oblation that ye shall offer to the LORD {shall be} of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.
And for them, {even} for the priests, shall be {this} holy oblation; towards the north five and twenty thousand {in length} , and towards the west ten thousand in breadth, and towards the east ten thousand in breadth, and towards the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst of it.
{It shall be} for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; who have kept my charge, who went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.
And {this} oblation of the land that is offered shall be to them a thing most holy, by the border of the Levites.
And over against the border of the priests the Levites {shall have} five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length {shall be} five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the first-fruits of the land: for {it is} holy to the LORD.
And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane {place} for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs, and the city shall be in the midst of it.
And these {shall be} the measures of it; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred.
And the suburbs of the city shall be towards the north two hundred and fifty, and towards the south two hundred and fifty, and towards the east two hundred and fifty, and towards the west two hundred and fifty.
And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy {portion shall be} ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy {portion} ; and its increase shall be for food to them that serve the city.
And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.
All the oblation {shall be} five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city.
And the residue {shall be} for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation towards the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand towards the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house {shall be} in the midst of it.
Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, {being} in the midst {of that} which is the prince's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince.
As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side to the west side, Benjamin {shall have} a {portion} .
And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, Simeon {shall have} a {portion} .
And by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, Issachar a {portion} .
And by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side, Zebulun a {portion} .
And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west side, Gad a {portion} .
And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar {to} the waters of strife {in} Kadesh, {and} to the river towards the great sea.
This {is} the land which ye shall divide by lot to the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these {are} their portions, saith the Lord GOD.
And these {are} the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.
And the gates of the city {shall be} after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
And the west side four thousand and five hundred, {with} their three gates: one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.
The circuit {was} eighteen thousand {measures} : and the name of the city from {that} day {shall be} , The LORD {is} there.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it.
And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god.
And the king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring {certain} of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Children in whom {was} no blemish, but of good appearance, and skillful in all wisdom, and intelligent in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as {had} ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end of them they might stand before the king.
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
To whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave to Daniel {the name} of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your provision and your drink: for why should he see your faces more meager than the children who {are} of your sort? then will ye make {me} endanger my head to the king.
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king's provision: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children who ate the portion of the king's provision.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore they stood before the king.
And in all matters of wisdom {and} understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times superior to all the magicians {and} astrologers that {were} in all his realm.
And Daniel continued {even} to the first year of king Cyrus.
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him.
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to show the king his dream. So they came and stood before the king.
And the king said to them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Syriac, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known to me the dream, with the interpretation of it, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
But if ye shall show the dream, and the interpretation of it, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation of it.
They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
But if ye will not make known to me the dream, {there is but} one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation of it.
The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter: therefore {there is} no king, lord, nor ruler, {that} hath asked such things of any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
And {it is} a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is no other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise {men} of Babylon.
And the decree went forth that the wise {men} should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who had gone forth to slay the wise {men} of Babylon:
He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why {is} the decree {so} hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise {men} of Babylon.
Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what {is} in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known to me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast {now} made known to us the king's matter.
Therefore Daniel went into Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise {men} of Babylon: he went and said thus to him; Destroy not the wise {men} of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will show to the king the interpretation.
Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus to him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known to the king the interpretation.
The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name {was} Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation of it?
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded, the wise {men} , the astrologers, the magicians, the sooth-sayers, cannot show to the king;
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came {into thy mind} upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for {any} wisdom that I have more than any living, but for {their} sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart.
Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness {was} excellent, stood before thee; and its form {was} terrible.
The head of this image {was} of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Thou sawest till a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet {that were} of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
This {is} the dream; and we will tell the interpretation of it before the king.
Thou, O king, {art} a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
And wherever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou {art} this head of gold.
And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all {things} : and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with the miry clay.
And {as} the toes of the feet {were} part of iron, and part of clay, {so} the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, {but} it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain, without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream {is} certain, and the interpretation of it sure.
Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors to him.
The king answered to Daniel, and said, Of a truth {it is} , that your God {is} a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldst reveal this secret.
Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise {men} of Babylon.
Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel {sat} in the gate of the king.
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose hight {was} sixty cubits, {and} the breadth of it six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to convene the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sherifs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sherifs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were assembled to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
{That} at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up.
And whoever shall not fall down and worship shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down {and} worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
They spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
And whoever shall not fall down and worship, {that} he shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Then Nebuchadnezzar in {his} rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said to them, {Is it} true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do ye not serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; {well} : but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who {is} that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we {are} not careful to answer thee in this matter.
If it is {so} , our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver {us} out of thy hand, O king.
But if not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: {therefore} he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
And he commanded the most mighty men that {were} in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, {and} to cast {them} into the burning fiery furnace.
Then these men were bound in their coats, their hose, and their hats, and their {other} garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, {and} spoke, and said to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king.
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt: and the form of the fourth is like the son of God.
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, {and} spoke, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come {hither} . Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth from the midst of the fire.
And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counselors, being assembled, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor had the smell of fire passed upon them.
{Then} Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed {be} the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other god that can deliver after this sort.
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied to you.
I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought towards me.
How great {are} his signs! and how mighty {are} his wonders! his kingdom {is} an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion {is} from generation to generation.
I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace:
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise {men} of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the sooth-sayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation of it.
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name {is} Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom {is} the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, {saying} ,
O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods {is} in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation of it.
Thus {were} the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and its hight {was} great.
The tree grew, and was strong, and its hight reached to heaven, and the sight of it to the end of all the earth:
Its leaves {were} fair, and its fruit abundant, and in it {was} food for all: the beasts of the field had shade under it, and the fowls of heaven dwelt among its boughs, and all flesh was fed from it.
I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from heaven;
He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts escape from under it, and the fowls from its branches.
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and {let} its portion {be} with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given to him; and let seven times pass over him.
This matter {is} by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation of it, forasmuch as all the wise {men} of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation: but thou {art} able; for the spirit of the holy gods {is} in thee.
Then Daniel, whose name {was} Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation of it, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered, and said, My lord, the dream {be} to them that hate thee, and the interpretation of it to thy enemies.
The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose hight reached to the heaven, and the sight of it to all the earth;
Whose leaves {were} fair, and the fruit of it abundant, and in it {was} food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of heaven had their habitation:
It {is} thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth to heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and {let} its portion {be} with the beasts of the field, till seven times shall pass over him;
This {is} the interpretation, O king, and this {is} the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou shalt know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure to thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thy iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
While the word {was} in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, {saying} , O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom hath departed from thee.
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling {shall be} with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou shalt know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' {feathers} , and his nails like birds' {claws} .
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion {is} an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom {is} from generation to generation:
And all the inhabitants of the earth {are} reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and {among} the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What doest thou?
At the same time my reason returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works {are} truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which {was} in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink in them.
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which {was} at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the sooth-sayers. {And} the king spoke and said to the wise {men} of Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation of it, shall be clothed with scarlet, and {have} a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Then came in all the king's wise {men} : but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation of it.
Then was the king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonished.
{Now} the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: {and} the queen spoke and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom {is} the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, {I say} , thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, {and} sooth-sayers;
Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, the interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.
Then was Daniel brought in before the king. {And} the king spoke and said to Daniel, {Art} thou that Daniel, who {art} of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judea?
I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods {is} in thee, and {that} light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
And now the wise {men} , the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me the interpretation of it, but they could not show the interpretation of the thing:
And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation of it, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and {have} a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor:
And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling {was} with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and {that} he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thy heart, though thou knewest all this;
But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drank wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath {is} , and whose {are} all thy ways, thou hast not glorified.
Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
And this {is} the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
This {is} the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and {put} a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
And Darius the Median took the kingdom, {being} about sixty and two years old.
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, who should be over the whole kingdom;
And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel {was} first: that the princes might give accounts to them, and the king should have no damage.
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit {was} in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he {was} faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find {it} against him concerning the law of his God.
Then these presidents and princes assembled to the king, and said thus to him, King Darius, live for ever.
All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask {a petition} of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing {is} true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Then they answered and said before the king, That Daniel, who {is} of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
Then the king, when he heard {these} words, was much displeased with himself, and set {his} heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he labored till the setting of the sun to deliver him.
Then these men assembled to the king, and said to the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians {is} , That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast {him} into the den of lions. {Now} the king spoke and said to Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions.
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice to Daniel: {and} the king spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Then said Daniel to the king, O king, live for ever.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was taken out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast {them} into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they came to the bottom of the den.
Then king Darius wrote to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied to you.
I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he {is} the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom {that} which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion {shall be even} to the end.
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, {and} told the sum of the matters.
Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea.
And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
The first {was} like a lion, and had eagles' wings: I beheld till its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
And behold another beast, a second, like a bear, and it raised itself on one side, and {it had} three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh.
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it {was} diverse from all the beasts that {were} before it; and it had ten horns.
I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn {were} eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment {was} white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne {was like} the fiery flame, {and} his wheels {as} burning fire.
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set and the books were opened.
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke: I beheld {even} till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
I saw in the night visions, and behold, {one} like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion {is} an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom {that} which shall not be destroyed.
I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of {my} body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
I came near to one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
These great beasts, which are four, {are} four kings, {which} shall arise out of the earth.
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth {were of} iron, and his nails {of} brass; {which} devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
And of the ten horns that {were} in his head, and {of} the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even {of} that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke very great things, whose look {was} more stout than his fellows.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
And the ten horns out of this kingdom {are} ten kings {that} shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
And he shall speak {great} words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy {it} to the end.
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom {is} an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Hitherto {is} the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, {even to} me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.
And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I {was} at Shushan {in} the palace, which {is} in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river Ulai.
Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had {two} horns: and the {two} horns {were} high; but one {was} higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither {was there any} that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
And as I was considering, behold, a he-goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat {had} a notable horn between his eyes.
And he came to the ram that had {two} horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran to him in the fury of his power.
And I saw him come close to the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and smote the ram, and broke his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
Therefore the he-goat became very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and in its stead came up four notable ones towards the four winds of heaven.
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which became exceeding great, towards the south, and towards the east, and towards the pleasant {land} .
And it grew great, {even} to the host of heaven; and it cast down {some} of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
Yes, he magnified {himself} even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily {sacrifice} was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
And a host was given {him} against the daily {sacrifice} by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said to that certain {saint} who spoke, How long {shall be} the vision {concerning} the daily {sacrifice} , and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
And he said to me, Until two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
And it came to pass, when I, {even} I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
And I heard a man's voice between {the banks of} Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this {man} to understand the vision.
So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said to me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end {shall be} the vision.
Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face towards the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end {shall be} .
The ram which thou sawest having {two} horns {are} the kings of Media and Persia.
And the rough goat {is} the king of Grecia: and the great horn that {is} between his eyes {is} the first king.
Now that being broken, whereas four stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify {himself} in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told {is} true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it {shall be} for many days.
And I Daniel fainted, and was sick {certain} days; afterward I rose, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood {it} .
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, concerning which the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
And I set my face to the Lord GOD, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
Neither have we hearkened to thy servants the prophets, who spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
O Lord, righteousness {belongeth} to thee, but to us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, {that are} near, and {that are} far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
O Lord, to us {belongeth} confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
To the Lord our God {belong} mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
And all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that {is} written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
And he hath confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven it hath not been done as it hath been done upon Jerusalem.
As {it is} written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God {is} righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we have not obeyed his voice.
And now, O LORD our God, that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast obtained thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
O LORD, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thy anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people {have become} a reproach to all {that are} about us.
Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the LORD'S sake.
O my God, incline thy ear, and hear; open thy eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thy own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
Yes, while I {was} speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
And he informed {me} , and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show {thee} ; for thou {art} greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Know therefore and understand, {that} from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Messiah the Prince {shall be} seven weeks, and sixty and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
And after sixty and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and its end {shall be} with a flood, and to the end of the war desolations are determined.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make {it} desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing {was} true, but the time appointed {was} long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which {is} Hiddekel;
Then I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins {were} girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
His body also {was} like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision: but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Yet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then I was in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
And behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and {upon} the palms of my hands.
And he said to me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright: for to thee I am now sent. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Now I have come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision {is} for many days.
And when he had spoken such words to me, I set my face towards the ground, and I became dumb.
And behold, {one} like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
Then there came again and touched me {one} like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace {be} to thee, be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
Then said he, Knowest thou for what cause I come to thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and {there is} none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
Also I, in the first year of Darius the Mede, {even} I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than {they} all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided towards the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
And the king of the south shall be strong, and {one} of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion {shall be} a great dominion.
And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in {these} times.
But out of a branch of her roots shall {one} stand up in his estate, who shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:
And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, {and} with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue {more} years than the king of the north.
So the king of the south shall come into {his} kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and {one} shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, {even} to his fortress.
And the king of the south shall be moved with wrath, and shall come forth and fight with him, {even} with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.
{And} when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down {many} ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened {by it} .
For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fortified cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither {shall there be any} strength to withstand.
But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand {on his side} , neither be for him.
After this shall he turn his face to the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause {it} to turn upon him.
Then he shall turn his face towards the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes {in} the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflowed from before him, and shall be broken; yes, also the prince of the covenant.
And after the league {made} with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do {that} which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: {yes} , and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
Yes, they that feed of the portion of his provisions shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
And both these kings hearts {shall be} to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end {shall be} at the time appointed.
Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart {shall be} against the holy covenant; and he shall do {exploits} , and return to his own land.
At the time appointed he shall return, and come towards the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily {sacrifice} , and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that know their God shall be strong, and do {exploits} .
And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, {many} days.
Now when they shall fall, they shall be assisted with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
And {some} of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make {them} white, {even} to the time of the end: because {it is} yet for a time appointed.
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that which is determined shall be done.
Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge {and} increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many {countries} shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, {even} Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Cushites {shall be} at his steps.
But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation {even} to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame {and} everlasting contempt.
And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, {even} to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Then I Daniel looked, and behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
And {one} said to the man clothed in linen, who {was} upon the waters of the river, How long {shall it be to} the end of these wonders?
And I heard the man clothed in linen, who {was} upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that liveth for ever, that {it shall be} for a time, times, and a half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these {things} shall be finished.
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what {shall be} the end of these {things} ?
And he said, Go thy way Daniel: for the words {are} closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
And from the time {that} the daily {sacrifice} shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, {there shall be} a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Blessed {is} he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
But go thou thy way till the end: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, {and} Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go take to thee a wife addicted to lewdness and children of lewdness; for the land hath committed great lewdness, {departing} from the LORD.
So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; who conceived, and bore him a son.
And the LORD said to him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little {while} , and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
And she conceived again, and bore a daughter. And {God} said to him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
Now when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived, and bore a son.
Then said {God} , Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye {are} not my people, and I will not be your {God} .
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, {that} in the place where it was said to them, Ye {are} not my people, {there} it shall be said to them, {Ye are} the sons of the living God.
Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be assembled, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up from the land: for great {shall be} the day of Jezreel.
Say ye to your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Plead with your mother, plead: for she {is} not my wife, neither {am} I her husband: let her therefore put away her prostitutions out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and kill her with thirst.
And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they {are} the children of lewdness.
For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give {me} my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find {them} : then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then {was it} better with me than now.
For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, {which} they prepared for Baal.
Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will recover my wool and my flax {given} to cover her nakedness.
And now will I disclose her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of my hand.
I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
And I will destroy her vines and her fig-trees, of which she hath said, These {are} my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.
And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, in which she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her ear-rings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the LORD.
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.
And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came from the land of Egypt.
And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, {that} thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.
For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and {with} the creeping animals of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down in safety.
And I will betroth thee to me for ever; yes, I will betroth thee to me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies.
I will even betroth thee to me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
And I will sow her to me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to {them who were} not my people, Thou {art} my people; and they shall say, {Thou art} my God.
Then said the LORD to me, Go yet, love a woman beloved by {her} friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD towards the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.
So I bought her to me for fifteen {pieces} of silver, and {for} a homer of barley, and a half homer of barley:
And I said to her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for {another} man: so {will} I also {be} for thee.
For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and {without} teraphim:
Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because {there is} no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth in it shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
Yet let no man contend, nor reprove another: for thy people {are} as they that contend with the priest.
Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
As they were increased, so they sinned against me: {therefore} will I change their glory into shame.
They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall be guilty of lewdness, and shall not increase: because they have ceased to take heed to the LORD.
Lewdness and wine and new wine take away the heart.
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth to them: for the spirit of lewdness hath caused {them} to err, and they have gone astray from under their God.
They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shade of them is agreeable: therefore your daughters shall be guilty of lewdness, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
I will not punish your daughters when they are guilty of lewdness, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for they themselves are separated with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people {that} doth not understand shall fall.
Though thou, Israel, playest the harlot, {yet} let not Judah offend; and come not ye to Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.
For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Ephraim {is} joined to idols: let him alone.
Their drink is sour: they have been guilty of lewd deeds continually: her rulers {with} shame do love, Give ye.
The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment {is} towards you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I {have been} a rebuker of them all.
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou art guilty of lewdness, {and} Israel is defiled.
They will not frame their doings to turn to their God: for the spirit of lewdness {is} in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.
They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find {him} ; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, {and} the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud {at} Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin.
Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: {therefore} I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
Ephraim {is} oppressed {and} broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
Therefore {will} I {be} to Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah {saw} his wound, then Ephraim went to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet he could not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
For I {will be} to Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, {even} I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue {him} .
I will go {and} return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Come, and let us return to the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day will he raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, {if} we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he will come to us as the rain, as the latter {and} former rain to the earth.
O Ephraim, what shall I do to thee? O Judah, what shall I do to thee? for your goodness {is} as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
Therefore have I hewed {them} by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments {are as} the light {that} goeth forth.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.
But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
Gilead {is} a city of them that work iniquity, {and is} polluted with blood.
And as troops of robbers wait for a man, {so} the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: there {is} the prostitution of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
Also, O Judah, he hath set a harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was disclosed, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, {and} the troop of robbers strippeth without.
And they consider not in their hearts {that} I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them around; they are before my face.
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
They {are} all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, {who} ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it is leavened.
In the day of our king the princes have made {him} sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: {there is} none among them that calleth to me.
Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth {it} not: yes, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.
Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
Woe to them! for they have fled from me: destruction to them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
And they have not cried to me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, {and} they rebel against me.
Though I have bound {and} strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
They return, {but} not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this {shall be} their derision in the land of Egypt.
{Set} the trumpet to thy mouth. {He shall come} as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
Israel shall cry to me, My God, we know thee.
Israel hath cast off {the thing that is} good: the enemy shall pursue him.
They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew {it} not: of their silver and their gold have they made for themselves idols, that they may be cut off.
Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast {thee} off; my anger is kindled against them: how long {will it be} ere they attain to innocence?
For from Israel {was} it also: the workman made it; therefore it {is} not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if it shall yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel in which {is} no pleasure.
For they have gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.
Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be to him to sin.
I have written to him the great things of my law, {but} they were counted as a strange thing.
They sacrifice flesh {for} the sacrifices of my offerings, and eat {it} ; {but} the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fortified cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as {other} people: for thou hast apostatized from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every corn-floor.
The floor and the wine-press shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean {things} in Assyria.
They shall not offer wine -{offerings} to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing to him: their sacrifices {shall be} to them as the bread of mourners; all that eat of it shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.
What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?
For lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant {places} for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns {shall be} in their tabernacles.
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know {it} : the prophet {is} a fool, the spiritual man {is} mad, for the multitude of thy iniquity, and the great hatred.
The watchman of Ephraim {was} with my God: {but} the prophet {is} a snare of a fowler in all his ways, {and} hatred in the house of his God.
They have deeply corrupted {themselves} , as in the days of Gibeah: {therefore} he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig-tree at her first time: {but} they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves to {that} shame; and {their} abominations were according as they loved.
{As for} Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, {that there shall} not {be} a man {left} : yes, woe also to them when I depart from them!
Ephraim, as I saw Tyre, {is} planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
All their wickedness {is} in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house, I will love them no more: all their princes {are} revolters.
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yes, though they bring forth, yet will I slay {even} the beloved {fruit} of their womb.
My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken to him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
Israel {is} an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit to himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath multiplied the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for its people shall mourn over it, and its priests {that} rejoiced on it, for its glory, because it is departed from it.
It shall also be carried to Assyria, {for} a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
{As for} Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.
The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
{It is} in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
And Ephraim {is as} a heifer {that is} taught, {and} loveth to tread out {the corn} ; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, {and} Jacob shall break his clods.
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for {it is} time to seek the LORD, till he shall come and reign righteousness upon you.
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou hast trusted in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be plundered, as Shalman plundered Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon {her} children.
So shall Beth-el do to you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel be utterly cut off.
When Israel {was} a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
{As} they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid food for them.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour {them} , because of their own counsels.
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt {him} .
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? {how} shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? {how} shall I set thee as Zeboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I {am} God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
Ephraim encompasseth me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him {in} Beth-el, and there he spoke with us;
Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD {is} his memorial.
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
{He is} a merchant, the balances of deceit {are} in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
And Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found for myself substance: {in} all my labors they shall find no iniquity in me that {were} sin.
And I {that am} the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets.
{Is there} iniquity {in} Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yes, their altars {are} as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept {sheep} .
And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
Ephraim provoked {him} to anger most bitterly: therefore will he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach will his Lord return to him.
When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, {and} idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of artificers: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff {that} is driven with the whirlwind from the floor, and as the smoke from the chimney.
Yet I {am} the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but me: for {there is} no savior besides me.
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drouth.
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Therefore I will be to them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe {them} .
I will meet them as a bear {that is} bereaved {of her whelps} , and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me {is} thy help.
I will be thy king: where {is any other} that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
I gave thee a king in my anger, and took {him} away in my wrath.
The iniquity of Ephraim {is} bound up; his sin {is} hid.
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he {is} an unwise son; for he should not stay long in {the place of} the breaking forth of children.
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues, O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes.
Though he is fruitful among {his} brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall pillage the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
O Israel, return to the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thy iniquity.
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive {us} graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
Ashur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, {Ye are} our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for my anger is turned away from him.
I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
They that dwell under his shade shall return; they shall revive {as} the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent of it {shall be} as the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraim {shall say} , What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard {him} , and observed him: I {am} like a green fir-tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Who {is} wise, and he shall understand these {things} ? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD {are} right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall in them.
The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
Tell ye your children of it, and {let} your children {tell} their children, and their children another generation.
That which the palmer-worm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the canker-worm eaten; and that which the canker-worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth {are} the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig-tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast {it} away; its branches are made white.
Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
The meat-offering and the drink-offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.
The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted; the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.
Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vine-dressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field hath perished.
The vine is dried up, and the fig-tree languisheth; the pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, {even} all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat-offering and the drink-offering is withheld from the house of your God.
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders {and} all the inhabitants of the land {into} the house of the LORD your God, and cry to the LORD,
Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD {is} at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Is not the food cut off before our eyes, {and} joy and gladness from the house of our God?
The seed hath perished under their clods, the granaries are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.
How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
The beasts of the field cry also to thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for {it is} nigh at hand;
A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, {even} to the years of many generations.
A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land {is} as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; and nothing shall escape them.
The appearance of them {is} as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and {when} they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
And the LORD will utter his voice before his army: for his camp {is} very great: for {he is} strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD {is} great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God: for he {is} gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth of the evil.
Who knoweth {if} he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; {even} a meat-offering and a drink-offering to the LORD your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where {is} their God?
Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
And the LORD will answer and say to his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied with it; and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
But I will remove far from you the northern {army} , and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face towards the east sea, and his hinder part towards the utmost sea, and his odious scent shall come up, and his ill savor shall come up, because he hath done great things.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first {month} .
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
And ye shall know that I {am} in the midst of Israel, and {that} I {am} the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
And it shall come to pass afterward, {that} I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD shall come.
And it shall come to pass, {that} whoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and {for} my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and divided my land.
And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
Yes, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly {and} speedily I will return your recompense upon your own head;
Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things.
The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold to the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.
Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head:
And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken {it} .
Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
Beat your plow-shares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I {am} strong.
Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together around: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
Let the heathen be awakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen on every side.
Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, go down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness {is} great.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the LORD {is} near in the valley of decision.
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
The LORD also will roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the LORD {will be} the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
So shall ye know that I {am} the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence {against} the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
For I will cleanse their blood {that} I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.
The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its {punishment} ; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.
I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the scepter from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its {punishment} : because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver {them} up to Edom:
But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces:
And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the scepter from Ashkelon, and I will turn my hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its {punishment} : because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:
But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre, which shall devour its palaces:
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its {punishment} : because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and {he} kept his wrath for ever:
But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away {their punishment} : because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:
But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour its palaces, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:
And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away {his punishment} : because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:
But I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kirioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, {and} with the sound of the trumpet:
And I will cut off the judge from the midst of it, and will slay all its princes with him, saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away {their punishment} : because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after which their fathers have walked:
But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away {their punishment} : because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;
That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in to the {same} maid, to profane my holy name:
And they lay {themselves} down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned {in} the house of their god.
Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose hight {was} like the hight of the cedars, and he {was} strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.
Also I brought you from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.
And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. {Is it} not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD.
But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.
Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed {that is} full of sheaves.
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:
Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and {he that is} swift of foot shall not deliver {himself} : neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.
And {he that is} courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Can two walk together, except they are agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he hath taken nothing?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin {is} for him? shall {one} take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
Shalt a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done {it} ?
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets.
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst of it, and the oppressed in the midst of it.
For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary {there shall be} even around the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be plundered.
Thus saith the LORD: As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus {in} a couch.
Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will also visit the altars of Beth-el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
And I will smite the winter-house with the summer-house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.
Hear this word, ye heifers of Bashan, that {are} in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fish-hooks,
And ye shall go out at the breaches, every {cow at that which is} before her; and ye shall cast {them} into the palace, saith the LORD.
Come to Beth-el and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, {and} your tithes after three years:
And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim {and} publish the free-offerings: for this pleaseth you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.
And also I have withheld the rain from you, when {there were} yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece on which it rained not withered.
So two {or} three cities wandered to one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.
I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig-trees and your olive-trees increased, the palmer-worm devoured {them} : yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.
I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the ill savor of your camps to come up to your nostrils: yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.
I have overthrown {some} of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a fire-brand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.
Therefore thus will I do to thee, O Israel: {and} because I will do this to thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
For lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth to man what {is} his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, {is} his name.
Hear ye this word which I take up against you, {even} a lamentation, O house of Israel.
The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise! she is forsaken upon her land; {there is} none to raise her up.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out {by} a thousand shall leave a hundred, and that which went forth {by} a hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.
For thus saith the LORD to the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to naught.
Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour {it} , and {there be} none to quench {it} in Beth-el.
Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness on the earth,
{Seek him} that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shades of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: JEHOVAH {is} his name:
That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.
They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
Forasmuch therefore as your treading {is} upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate {from their right} .
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it {is} an evil time.
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing {shall be} in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful in lamentation to wailing.
And in all vineyards {shall be} wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.
Woe to you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end {is} it for you? the day of the LORD {is} darkness, and not light.
As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
{Shall} not the day of the LORD {be} darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Though ye offer me burnt-offerings and your meat-offerings, I will not accept {them} ; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts.
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Have ye offered to me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?
But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.
Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name {is} The God of hosts.
Woe to them {that are} at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, {who are} named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
Pass ye to Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: {are they} better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?
Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the midst of the stall;
That chant to the sound of the viol, {and} invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellence of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore I will deliver up the city with all its abundance.
And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, they shall die.
And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring the bones out of the house, and shall say to him that {is} by the sides of the house, {Is there} yet {any} with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.
For behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
Shall horses run upon the rock? will {one} plow {there} with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
Ye who rejoice in a thing of naught, who say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?
But behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entrance of Hamath to the river of the wilderness.
Thus hath the Lord GOD shown to me; and behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and lo, {it was} the latter growth after the king's mowings.
And it came to pass, {that} when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he {is} small.
The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
Thus hath the Lord GOD shown to me: and behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.
Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he {is} small.
The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
Thus he showed me: and behold, the LORD stood upon a wall {made} by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand.
And the LORD said to me, Amos, what seest thou? and I said, A plumb-line. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
Also Amaziah said to Amos, O thou seer, go flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
But prophesy not again any more at Beth-el: for it {is} the king's chapel, and it {is} the king's court.
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I {was} no prophet, neither {was} I a prophet's son; but I {was} a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit:
And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.
Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not {thy word} against the house of Isaac.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go from his land into captivity.
Thus hath the Lord GOD shown to me: and behold a basket of summer fruit.
And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD to me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: {there shall be} many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast {them} forth with silence.
Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; and even sell the refuse of the wheat?
The LORD hath sworn by the excellence of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth in it? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood: and it shall be cast out and drowned, as {by} the flood of Egypt.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only {son} , and the end of it as a bitter day.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find {it} .
In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beer-sheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise again.
I saw the LORD standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.
Though they dig into the place of the dead, thence shall my hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they are hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:
And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set my eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
And the Lord GOD of hosts {is} he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell in it shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as {by} the flood of Egypt.
{It is} he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: the LORD {is} his name.
{Are} ye not as children of the Cushites to me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel from the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Assyrians from Kir?
Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD {are} upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.
For lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as {corn} is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, The evil shall not overtake nor fall upon us.
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up their breaches; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, who are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit {them} ; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.
The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an embassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation {is} high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Though thou shalt exalt {thyself} as the eagle, and though thou shalt set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grape-gatherers came to thee, would they not leave {some} grapes?
How are {the things} of Esau searched out! {how} are his hidden things sought!
All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee {even} to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, {and} prevailed against thee; {they that eat} thy bread have laid a wound under thee: {there is} no understanding in him.
Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise {men} out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
And thy mighty {men} , O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
For {thy} violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
In the day that thou stoodst on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou {wast} as one of them.
But thou shouldst not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldst thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldst thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
Thou shouldst not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yes, thou shouldst not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid {hands} on their substance in the day of their calamity;
Neither shouldst thou have stood in the cross-way, to cut off those of his that escaped; neither shouldst thou have delivered up those of his that remained in the day of distress.
For the day of the LORD {is} near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done to thee: thy reward shall return upon thy own head.
For as ye have drank upon my holy mountain, {so} shall all the heathen drink continually, yes, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be {any} remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken {it} .
And {they of} the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and {they of} the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin {shall possess} Gilead.
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel {shall possess} that of the Canaanites, {even} to Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which {is} in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
And saviors shall come upon mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare of it, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was in danger of being broken.
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to his god, and cast the wares that {were} in the ship into the sea, to lighten {it} of them. But Jonah had gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
So the ship-master came to him, and said to him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, it may be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil {is} upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
Then said they to him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil {is} upon us; What {is} thy occupation? and whence comest thou? what {is} thy country? and of what people {art} thou?
And he said to them, I {am} a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who hath made the sea and the dry {land} .
Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said to him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
Then said they to him, What shall we do to thee, that the sea may be calm to us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
And he said to them, Take me, and cast me into the sea; so shall the sea be calm to you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest {is} upon you.
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring {it} to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
Wherefore they cried to the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.
So they took Jonah, and cast him into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD, and made vows.
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
And said, I cried by reason of my affliction to the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, {and} thou heardst my voice.
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods encompassed me: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again towards thy holy temple.
The waters encompassed me, {even} to the soul: the depth inclosed me on every side, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars {was} about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came to thee, into thy holy temple.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice to thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay {that} which I have vowed. Salvation {is} of the LORD.
And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry {land} .
And the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the preaching that I bid thee.
So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
For word came to the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered {himself} with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
And he caused {it} to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God: yes, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that {is} in their hands.
Who can tell {if} God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do to them; and he did {it} not.
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
And he prayed to the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD {was} not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before to Tarshish: for I knew that thou {art} a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest of the evil.
Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for {it is} better for me to die than to live.
Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city.
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made {it} to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
And it came to pass, when the sun rose that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, {It is} better for me to die than to live.
And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, {even} to death.
Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for which thou hast not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and {also} many cattle?
The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, {and} Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
For behold, the LORD cometh forth from his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
And the mountains shall be melted under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, {and} as the waters {that are} poured down a steep place.
For the transgression of Jacob {is} all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What {is} the transgression of Jacob? {is it} not Samaria? and what {are} the high places of Judah? {are they} not Jerusalem?
Therefore I will make Samaria as a heap of the field, {and} as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down her stones into the valley, and I will lay bare her foundations.
And all her graven images shall be beaten to pieces, and all her hires shall be burned with the fire, and all her idols will I lay desolate: for she gathered {it} from the hire of a harlot, and they shall return to the hire of a harlot.
Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.
For her wound {is} incurable; for it is come to Judah; he is come to the gate of my people, {even} to Jerusalem.
Declare ye {it} not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.
Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame exposed: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Beth-ezel; he shall receive from you his standing.
For the inhabitant of Maroth waited anxiously for good: but evil came down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.
O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she {is} the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.
Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth-gath: the houses of Achzib {shall be} a lie to the kings of Israel.
Yet will I bring an heir to thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come to Adullam the glory of Israel.
Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.
And they covet fields, and take {them} by violence; and houses, and take {them} away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time {is} evil.
In that day shall {one} take up a parable against you, and lament with a grievous lamentation, {and} say, We are utterly wasted: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed {it} from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.
Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.
Prophesy ye not, {say they to them that} prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, {that} they shall not take shame.
O {thou that art} named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
Even of late my people hath risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse to war.
The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
Arise ye, and depart; for this {is} not {your} rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy {you} , even with a grievous destruction.
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood doth lie, {saying} , I will prophesy to thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of {the multitude of} men.
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and have gone out by it; and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.
And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel: {Is it} not for you to know judgment?
Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from them, and their flesh from off their bones;
Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.
Then shall they cry to the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him:
Therefore night {shall be} to you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark to you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yes, they shall all cover their lips; for {there is} no answer of God.
But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
Her heads judge for reward, and her priests teach for hire, and her prophets divine for money; yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, {Is} not the LORD among us? no evil can come upon us.
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed {as} a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
But in the last days it shall come to pass, {that} the mount of the house of the LORD shall be established on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow to it.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make {them} afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken {it} .
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
In that day, saith the LORD, I will assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD will reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, to thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come, to the daughter of Jerusalem.
Now why dost thou cry aloud? {is there} no king in thee? hath thy counselor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.
Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth from the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go {even} to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thy enemies.
Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he will gather them as sheaves into the floor.
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain to JEHOVAH, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.
Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, {though} thou art little among the thousands of Judah, {yet} out of thee shall he come forth to me {that is} to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth {have been} from of old, from everlasting.
Therefore will he give them up, until the time {that} she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.
And he will stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now will he be great to the ends of the earth.
And this {man} will be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.
And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its entrances: thus will he deliver {us} from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.
And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he goeth through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thy adversaries, and all thy enemies shall be cut off.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:
And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:
And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy hand; and thou shalt have no {more} sooth-sayers:
Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thy hands.
And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.
And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
O my people, what have I done to thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me,
For I brought thee out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee from the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, {and} bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, {or} with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born {for} my transgression, the fruit of my body {for} the sin of my soul?
He hath shown thee, O man, what {is} good; and what the LORD doth require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
The LORD'S voice crieth to the city, and {the man of} wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure {that is} abominable?
Shall I count {them} pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue {is} deceitful in their mouth.
Therefore also will I make {thee} sick in smiting thee, in making {thee} desolate because of thy sins.
Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down {shall be} in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and {that} which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.
Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.
For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape-gleanings of the vintage: {there is} no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first ripe fruit.
The good {man} hath perished from the earth: and {there is} none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge {asketh} for a reward; and the great {man} , he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
The best of them {is} as a brier: the most upright {is sharper} than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen {and} thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
For the son dishonoreth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies {are} the men of his own house.
Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD {will be} a light to me.
I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he shall plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, {and} I shall behold his righteousness.
Then {she that is} my enemy shall see {it} , and shame shall cover her who said to me, Where is the LORD thy God? my eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.
{In} the day that thy walls are to be built, {in} that day shall the decree be far removed.
{In} that day {also} he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and {from} the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and {from} mountain to mountain.
Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell in it, for the fruit of their doings.
Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thy heritage, who dwell solitarily {in} the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed {in} Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
According to the days of thy departure from the land of Egypt will I show to him marvelous {things} .
The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay {their} hand upon {their} mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.
Who {is} a God like to thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth {in} mercy.
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, {and} the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite,
God {is} jealous, and the LORD avengeth; the LORD avengeth, and {is} furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth {wrath} for his enemies.
The LORD {is} slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit {the wicked} : the LORD {hath} his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds {are} the dust of his feet.
He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, even the world, and all that dwell therein.
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
The LORD {is} good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
But with an over-running flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
For while {they} are folded together {as} thorns, and while they are drunken {as} drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
There is {one} come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counselor.
Thus saith the LORD; Though {they are} quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
For now I will break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds asunder.
And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, {that} no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make {thy} loins strong, fortify {thy} power mightily.
For the LORD hath turned away the excellence of Jacob, as the excellence of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men {are} in scarlet: the chariots {shall be} with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir-trees shall be terribly shaken.
The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defense shall be prepared.
The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead {her} as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
But Nineveh {is} of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, {shall they cry} ; but none shall look back.
Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for {there is} no end of the store {and} glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain {is} in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
Where {is} the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding-place of the young lions, where the lion, {even} the old lion, walked, {and} the lion's whelp, and none made {them} afraid?
The lion tore in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
Behold, I {am} against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.
Woe to the bloody city! it {is} all full of lies {and} robberies; the prey departeth not;
The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the prancing horses, and of the bounding chariots.
The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword, and the glittering spear: and {there is} a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcasses; and {there is} no end of {their} corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
Because of the multitude of the lewd deeds of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her lewd deeds, and families through her witchcrafts.
Behold, I {am} against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will remove thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing-stock.
And it shall come to pass, {that} all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her; whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
Art thou better than populous No, that was situated among the rivers, {that had} the waters around it, whose rampart {was} the sea, {and} her wall {was} from the sea?
Cush and Egypt {were} her strength, and {it was} infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.
Yet {was} she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the head of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.
All thy strong holds {shall be like} fig-trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee {are} women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open to thy enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brick-kiln.
There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the canker-worm: make thyself many as the canker-worm, make thyself many as the locusts.
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the canker-worm spoileth, and flieth away.
Thy crowned {are} as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which settle in the hedges in the cold day, {but} when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they {are} .
Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell {in the dust} : thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth {them} .
{There is} no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the fame of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
The burden which Habakkuk the prophet saw.
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! {even} cry out to thee {of} violence, and thou wilt not save!
Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause {me} to behold grievance? for devastation and violence {are} before me: and there are {that} raise strife and contention.
Therefore the law is slackened, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth encompass the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for {I} will work a work in your days, {which} ye will not believe though it be told {you} .
For lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, {that} bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling-places {that are} not theirs.
They {are} terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed from themselves.
Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle {that} hasteth to eat.
They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up {as} the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn to them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
Then shall {his} mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, {imputing} this his power to his god.
{Art} thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.
{Thou art} of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: why lookest thou on them that deal treacherously, {and} keepest silence when the wicked devoureth {the man that is} more righteous than he?
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping animals {that have} no ruler over them?
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
Therefore they sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their drag; because by them their portion {is} fat, and their food plenteous.
Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
I will stand upon my watch, and seat myself upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make {it} plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision {is} yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it may tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul {which} is lifted up, is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Yes also, because he transgresseth by wine, {he is} a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire, as hell, and {is} as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth to him all nations, and collecteth to him all people:
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth {that which is} not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
Shall they not rise suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall disturb thee, and thou shalt be for booties to them?
Because thou hast laid waste many nations, all the remnant of the people shall lay thee waste; because of men's blood, and {for} the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned {against} thy soul.
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and establisheth a city by iniquity!
Behold, {is it} not from the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Woe to him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to {him} , and makest {him} drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned to thee, and shameful vomiting {shall be} on thy glory.
For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, {which} made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
What profiteth the graven image that its maker hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Woe to him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it {is} laid over with gold and silver, and {there is} no breath at all in the midst of it.
But the LORD {is} in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
O LORD, I have heard thy speech, {and} was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
And {his} brightness was as the light; he had horns {coming} out of his hand; and there {was} the hiding of his power.
Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways {are} everlasting.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: {and} the curtains of the land of Midian trembled.
Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? {was} thy anger against the rivers? {was} thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thy horses, {and} thy chariots of salvation?
Thy bow was made quite naked, {according} to the oaths of the tribes, {even thy} word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
The mountains saw thee, {and} they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, {and} lifted up his hands on high.
The sun {and} moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thy arrows they went, {and} at the shining of thy glittering spear.
Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, {even} for salvation with thy anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by uncovering the foundation to the neck. Selah.
Thou didst strike through with his staffs the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing {was} as to devour the poor secretly.
Thou didst walk through the sea with thy horses, {through} the mire of great waters.
When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up to the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither {shall} fruit {be} in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and {there shall be} no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD {is} my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' {feet} , and he will make me to walk upon my high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
I will utterly consume all {things} from off the land, saith the LORD.
I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
I will also stretch out my hand upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, {and} the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
And them that worship the host of heaven upon the house-tops; and them that worship {and} that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
And them that have turned back from the LORD; and {those} that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD {is} at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath invited his guests.
And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.
In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshhold, who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, {that there shall be} the noise of a cry from the fish-gate, and a howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
And it shall come to pass at that time, {that} I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit {them} ; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine of them.
The great day of the LORD {is} near, {it is} near, and hasteth greatly, {even} the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
That day {is} a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasting and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities, and against the high towers.
And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he will make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Assemble yourselves, yes, assemble, O nation not desired;
Before the decree bringeth forth, {before} the day passeth as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD cometh upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger cometh upon you.
Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, who have performed his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
Woe to the inhabitants of the sea coasts, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD {is} against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
And the sea coast shall be dwellings {and} cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
And the coasts shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed upon them: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God will visit them, and turn away their captivity.
I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, by which they have reproached my people, and magnified {themselves} against their border.
Therefore {as} I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, {even} the breeding of nettles, and salt-pits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall lay them waste, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified {themselves} against the people of the LORD of hosts.
The LORD {will be} terrible to them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and {men} shall worship him, every one from his place, {even} all the isles of the heathen.
Ye Cushites also, ye {shall be} slain by my sword.
And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, {and} dry like a wilderness.
And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; {their} voice shall sing in the windows; desolation {shall be} in the threshholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
This {is} the rejoicing city that dwelt in security, that said in her heart, I {am} , and {there is} none besides me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, {and} wag his hand.
Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Her princes within her {are} roaring lions; her judges {are} evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
Her prophets are light {and} treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
The just LORD {is} in the midst of her; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is no inhabitant.
I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, however I punished them: but they rose early, {and} corrupted all their doings.
Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination {is} to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them my indignation, {even} all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
From beyond the rivers of Cush my suppliants, {even} the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring my offering.
In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, in which thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make {them} afraid.
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thy enemy: the King of Israel, {even} the LORD, {is} in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: {and to} Zion, Let not thy hands be slack.
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee {is} mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
I will gather {them that are} sorrowful for the solemn assembly, {who} are of thee, {to whom} the reproach of it {was} a burden.
Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
At that time will I bring you {again} , even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.
Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
{Is it} time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house {lie} waste?
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe yourselves, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages {to put it} into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
Ye looked for much, and lo, {it came} to little; and when ye brought {it} home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that {is} waste, and ye run every man to his own house.
Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed {from} her fruit.
And I called for a drouth upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon {that} which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
Then spoke Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message to the people, saying, I {am} with you, saith the LORD.
And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and performed work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
In the four and twentieth day of the same month, in the second year of Darius the king.
In the seventh {month} , in the one and twentieth {day} of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
Who {is} left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? {is it} not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I {am} with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
{According to} the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it {is} a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry {land} ;
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
The silver {is} mine, and the gold {is} mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
In the four and twentieth {day} of the ninth {month} , in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Ask now the priests {concerning} the law, saying,
If one shall bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt shall touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any food, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
Then said Haggai, If {one that is} unclean by a dead body shall touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
Then answered Haggai, and said, So {is} this people, and so {is} this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so {is} every work of their hands; and that which they offer there {is} unclean.
And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:
Since those {days} were, when {one} came to a heap of twenty {measures} , there were {but} ten: when {one} came to the press-vat to draw out fifty {vessels} out of the press, there were {but} twenty.
I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labors of your hands; yet ye {turned} not to me, saith the LORD.
Consider now from this day, and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth {month} , {even} from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider {it} .
Is the seed yet in the barn? yes, as yet the vine, and the fig-tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive-tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless {you} .
And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai in the four and twentieth {day} of the month, saying,
Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen: and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet; for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD to Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
The LORD hath been greatly displeased with your fathers.
Therefore say thou to them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye to me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn to you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Be ye not as your fathers, to whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and {from} your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken to me, saith the LORD.
Your fathers, where {are} they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, As the LORD of hosts thought to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which {is} the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD to Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle-trees that {were} in the bottom; and behind him {were there} red horses, speckled, and white.
Then said I, O my LORD, what {are these} ? And the angel that talked with me said to me, I will show thee what these {are} .
And the man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said, These {are they} whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle-trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these seventy years.
And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me {with} good words {and} comforting words.
So the angel that communed with me said to me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
And I am very greatly displeased with the heathen {that are} at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I have returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
And I said to the angel that talked with me, What {are} these? And he answered me, These {are} the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
And the LORD showed me four carpenters.
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spoke, saying, These {are} the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man lifted up his head: but these are come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted {their} horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
I lifted up my eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said to me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what {is} its breadth, and what {is} its length.
And behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
And said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited {as} towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle in it.
For I, saith the LORD, will be to her a wall of fire on every side, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
Ho, ho, {come forth} , and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest {with} the daughter of Babylon.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me to the nations which wasted you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye.
For behold, I will shake my hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
Sing, and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me to thee.
And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
And the LORD said to Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: {is} not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
And he answered and spoke to those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, Behold, I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
And the angel of the LORD protested to Joshua, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they {are} men wondered at: for behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone {shall be} seven eyes; behold, I will engrave the graving of it saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig-tree.
And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
And said to me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick: all {of} gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which {were} upon the top of it.
And two olive-trees by it, one upon the right {side} of the bowl, and the other upon the left {side} .
So I answered and spoke to the angel that talked with me, saying, What {are} these, my lord?
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said to me, Knowest thou not what these are? and I said, No, my lord.
Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This {is} the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Who {art} thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel {thou shalt become} a plain: and he shall bring forth {its} head-stone {with} shoutings, {crying} , Grace, grace, to it.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me to you.
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel {with} those seven; they {are} the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Then I answered, and said to him, What {are} these two olive-trees upon the right {side} of the candlestick and upon its left {side} ?
And I answered again, and said to him, What {are these} two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden {oil} out of themselves?
And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these {are} ? And I said, No, my lord.
Then said he, These {are} the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.
Then I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
And he said to me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; its length {is} twenty cubits, and its breadth ten cubits.
Then said he to me, This {is} the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off {as} on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off {as} on that side according to it.
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with its timber and its stones.
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said to me, Lift up now thy eyes, and see what {is} this that goeth forth.
And I said, What {is} it? And he said, This {is} an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This {is} their resemblance through all the earth.
And behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this {is} a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
And he said, This {is} wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon its mouth.
Then I lifted up my eyes, and looked and behold, there came out two women, and the wind {was} in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
And he said to me, To build for it a house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains {were} mountains of brass.
In the first chariot {were} red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled and bay horses.
Then I answered and said to the angel that talked with me, What {are} these, my lord?
And the angel answered and said to me, These {are} the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
The black horses which {are} therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grizzled go forth towards the south country.
And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Go hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
Then he cried upon me, and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these that go towards the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Take of {them of} the captivity, {even} of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, who are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set {them} upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest.
And speak to him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name {is} The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD;
Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne: and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
And they {that are} far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me to you. And {this} shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, {that} the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth {day} of the ninth month, {even} in Chisleu;
When they had sent to the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,
{And} to speak to the priests who {were} in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
Then came the word of the LORD of hosts to me, saying,
Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh {month} , even those seventy years, did ye at all fast to me, {even} to me?
And when ye ate, and when ye drank, did ye not eat {for yourselves} , and drink {for yourselves} ?
{Should ye} not {hear} the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and her cities around her, when {men} inhabited the south and the plain?
And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
But they refused to hearken, and withdrew the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Yes, they made their hearts {as} an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Therefore it is come to pass, {that} as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
Again the word of the LORD of hosts came {to me} , saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
Thus saith the LORD; I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in my eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, who {were} in the day {when} the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither {was there any} peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbor.
But now I {will} not {be} to the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
For the seed {shall be} prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these {things} .
And it shall come to pass, {that} as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, let your hands be strong.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not;
So again have I thought in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.
These {are} the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these {are things} that I hate, saith the LORD.
And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth {month} , and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: {It shall} yet {come to pass} , that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
And the inhabitants of one {city} shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.
And many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days {it shall come to pass} , that ten men out of all languages of the nations, shall take hold, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard {that} God {is} with you.
The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus {shall be} the rest of it: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, {shall be} towards the LORD.
And Hamath also shall border by it; Tyre and Zidon, though it be very wise.
And Tyre built herself a strong hold, and amassed silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Ashkelon shall see {it} , and fear; Gaza also {shall see it} , and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, {shall be} for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
And I will encamp about my house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with my eyes.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh to thee: he {is} just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle-bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace to the heathen: and his dominion {shall be} from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit in which {is} no water.
Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to-day do I declare {that} I will render double to thee;
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
The LORD of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling-stones; and they shall drink, {and} make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, {and} as the corners of the altar.
And the LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people: for {they shall be as} the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
For how great {is} his goodness, and how great {is} his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; {so} the LORD will make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled because {there was} no shepherd.
My anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle-bow, out of him every oppressor together.
And they shall be as mighty {men} , who tread down {their enemies} in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD {is} with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I {am} the LORD their God, and will hear them.
And {they of} Ephraim shall be like a mighty {man} , and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yes, their children shall see {it} , and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
I will hiss for them, and gather them: for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in remote countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and {place} shall not be found for them.
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart.
And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
Howl, fir-tree, for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are laid waste: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
{There is} a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is destroyed: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is laid waste.
Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed {be} the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.
For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbor's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver {them} .
And I will feed the flock of slaughter, {even} you, O poor of the flock. And I took to me two staffs; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
Then said I, I will not feed you: that which dieth, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat, every one the flesh of another.
And I took my staff, {even} Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it {was} the word of the LORD.
And I said to them, If ye think good, give {me} my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty {pieces} of silver.
And the LORD said to me, Cast it to the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at by them. And I took the thirty {pieces} of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Then I cut asunder my other staff, {even} Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
And the LORD said to me, Take to thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
For lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, {who} shall not visit those that are cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
Woe to the idle shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword {shall be} upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be wholly dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the people around, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah {and} against Jerusalem.
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be assembled against it.
In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open my eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem {shall be} my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
In that day will I make the governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people around, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, {even} in Jerusalem.
The LORD also will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not magnify {themselves} against Judah.
In that day will the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David {shall be} as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for {his} only {son} , and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for {his} first-born.
In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, {that} I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
And it shall come to pass, {that} when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say to him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
But he shall say, I {am} no prophet, I {am} a husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
And {one} shall say to him, What {are} these wounds in thy hands? Then he shall answer, {Those} with which I was wounded {in} the house of my friends.
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man {that is} my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
And it shall come to pass, {that} in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off {and} die; but the third shall be left therein.
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It {is} my people; and they shall say, The LORD {is} my God.
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Then will the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
And his feet will stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which {is} before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst of it towards the east and towards the west, {and there shall be} a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove towards the north, and half of it towards the south.
And ye shall flee {to} the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal: yes, ye shall flee as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, {and} all the saints with thee.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the light shall not be clear, {nor} dark:
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, {that} at evening it shall be light.
And it shall be in that day, {that} living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them towards the former sea, and half of them towards the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
And the LORD will be king over all the earth: in that day will there be one LORD, and his name one.
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and {from} the tower of Hananeel to the king's wine-presses.
And {men} shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen around shall be collected, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
And it shall come to pass, {that} every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
And it shall be, {that} whoever will not come up of {all} the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
And if the family of Egypt shall not go up, and shall not come, that {have} no {rain} ; there shall be the plague, with which the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS TO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe in them: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, In what hast thou loved us? {Was} not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
A son honoreth {his} father, and a servant his master: if then I {am} a father, where {is} my honor? and if I {am} a master, where {is} my fear? saith the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, In what have we despised thy name?
Ye offer polluted bread upon my altar? and ye say, In what have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD {is} contemptible.
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, {is it} not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, {is it} not evil? offer it now to thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious to us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your person? saith the LORD of hosts.
Who {is there} even among you that would shut the doors {for nought} ? neither do ye kindle {fire} on my altar for naught. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
For from the rising of the sun even to the setting of the same, my name {shall be} great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense {shall be} offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name {shall be} great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD {is} polluted; and the fruit of it, {even} his provision, is contemptible.
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness {is it} ! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought {that which was} torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this from your hand? saith the LORD.
But cursed {be} the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth to the LORD a corrupt thing: for I {am} a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name {is} dreadful among the heathen.
And now, O ye priests, this commandment {is} for you.
If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay {it} to heart, to give glory to my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yes, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay {it} to heart.
Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, {even} the dung of your solemn feasts; and {one} shall take you away with it.
And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him {for} the fear with which he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity.
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he {is} the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
But ye have departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD whom he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering to the LORD of hosts.
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth {it} with good will at your hand.
Yet ye say, Why? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet {is} she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
And did he not make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And why one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith, that he hateth putting away: for {one} covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, In what have we wearied {him} ? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil {is} good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where {is} the God of judgment?
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he will come, saith the LORD of hosts.
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he {is} like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.
And he shall sit {as} a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant to the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in {his} wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger {from his right} , and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
For I {am} the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Even from the days of your fathers ye have gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept {them} . Return to me, and I will return to you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, In what shall we return?
Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, In what have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye {are} cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, {even} this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now with this, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that {there shall} not {be room} enough {to receive it} .
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken {so much} against thee?
Ye have said, It {is} vain to serve God: and what profit {is it} that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
And now we call the proud happy; yes, they that work wickedness are set up; even {they that} tempt God are delivered.
Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard {it} , and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
But to you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do {this} , saith the LORD of hosts.
Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, {with} the statutes and judgments.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren;
And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her {that had been the wife} of Uriah;
And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David {are} fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon {are} fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon to Christ {are} fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this manner: When his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just {man} , and not willing to make her a public example, purposed to put her away privately.
But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken from the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took to him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son: and he called his name JESUS.
Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard {these things} , he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.
And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, {in} the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found {him} , bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
And when they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken from the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping {for} her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead who sought the young child's life.
And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region about Jordan,
And were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for {our} father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and {with} fire:
Whose fan {is} in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather his wheat into the granary; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer {it to be so} now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up immediately out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Then was Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou art the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
And saith to him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in {their} hands they shall uphold thee, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said to him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, the devil taketh him up upon an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,
And saith to him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus to him, Be gone, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee.
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim;
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, {by} the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
The people who sat in darkness, saw great light; and to them who sat in the region and shades of death, light hath arisen.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they immediately left {their} nets, and followed him.
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James {the son} of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them.
And they immediately left the boat, and their father, and followed him.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease among the people.
And his fame spread throughout all Syria: and they brought to him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those who were possessed with demons, and those who were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and {from} Decapolis, and {from} Jerusalem, and {from} Judea, and {from} beyond Jordan.
And seeing the multitudes, he ascended a mountain: and when he was seated, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed {are} the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed {are} they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed {are} the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed {are} they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed {are} the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed {are} the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed {are} the peace-makers: for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed {are} they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute {you} , and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great {is} your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost its savor, with what shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a close vessel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light to all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For verily I say to you, Till heaven and earth shall pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do, and teach {them} , the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed {the righteousness} of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment:
But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire.
Therefore if thou shalt bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath aught against thee;
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Agree with thy adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Verily, I say to thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say to you, That whoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
And if thy right eye shall cause thee to sin, pluck it out, and cast {it} from thee: for {it} is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not {that} thy whole body should be cast into hell.
And if thy right hand shall cause thee to sin, cut it off, and cast {it} from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not {that} thy whole body should be cast into hell.
It hath been said, Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
But I say to you, That whoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of lewdness, causeth her to commit adultery: and whoever shall marry her that is divorced, committeth adultery.
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform to the Lord thy oaths:
But I say to you, Swear not at all: neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King,
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea, Nay, nay: for whatever {is} more than these cometh of evil.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, That ye resist not evil: but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have {thy} cloke also.
And whoever shall constrain thee {to go} one mile, go with him two.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy:
But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father who {is} in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more {than others} ? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen by them: otherwise ye have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Therefore, when thou doest {thy} alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Verily, I say to you, they have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thy alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself will reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites {are} : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Verily, I say to you, they have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Therefore be ye not like them: for your Father knoweth what things ye need before ye ask him.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as {it is} in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast. Verily, I say to you, they have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
That thou mayest not appear to men to fast, but to thy Father, who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thy eye be single, thy whole body will be full of light.
But if thy eye be evil, thy whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee is darkness, how great {is} that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by anxious care can add one cubit to his stature?
And why are ye anxious for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow? they toil not, neither do they spin?
And yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clotheth the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, {will he} not much more {clothe} you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore be not anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or, with what shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Therefore be not anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be solicitous for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day {is} its own evil.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and the measure which ye give, shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thy eye; and behold, a beam {is} in thy own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Give not that which {is} holy to dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you:
For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he shall ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If ye then being evil know {how} to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Therefore all things whatever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide {is} the gate, and broad {is} the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in by it.
Because strait {is} the gate, and narrow {is} the way, which leadeth to life, and few there are that find it.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles:
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither {can} a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out demons? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Therefore whoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.
For he taught them as {one} having authority, and not as the scribes.
When he had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus put forth {his} hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
And Jesus saith to him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
And when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick with the palsy, grievously tormented.
And Jesus saith to him, I will come and heal him.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant will be healed.
For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this {man} , Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth {it} .
When Jesus heard {it} , he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And I say to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said to the centurion, Depart; and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And his servant was healed in the same hour.
And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick with a fever.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered to them.
When the evening was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with {his} word, and healed all that were sick;
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, He himself took our infirmities, and bore {our} sicknesses.
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart to the other side.
And a certain scribe came, and said to him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus saith to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air {have} nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay {his} head.
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he had entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.
And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
And his disciples came to {him} , and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
And he saith to them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
And when he had come to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with demons, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we {to do} with thee, Jesus, {thou} Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine, feeding.
So the demons besought him, saying, If thou expellest us, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said to them, Go. And when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine: and behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
And they that kept them, fled, and went into the city, and told every thing; and what had befallen to the possessed with demons.
And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their borders.
And he entered into a boat, and passed over, and came into his own city.
And behold, they brought to him a man sick with the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee.
And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This {man} blasphemeth.
And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why think ye evil in your hearts?
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick with the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go to thy house.
And he arose, and departed to his house.
But when the multitude saw {it} , they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
And as Jesus was passing from thence, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw {it} , they said to his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
But when Jesus heard {that} , he said to them, They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what {that} meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast.
No man putteth a piece of new cloth to an old garment: for that which is put in to fill it up, taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
While he was speaking these things to them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she will live.
And Jesus arose, and followed him, and {so did} his disciples.
(And behold, a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind {him} , and touched the hem of his garment.
For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
But Jesus turned himself about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.)
And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they derided him.
But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
And the fame of this went abroad into all that land.
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, {Thou} son of David, have mercy on us.
And when he had come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith to them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord.
Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it to you.
And their eyes were opened; and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See {that} no man know {it} .
But they, when they had departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
As thy went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon.
And when the demon was cast out, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out demons, through the prince of the demons.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness, and every disease among the people.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith he to his disciples, The harvest truly {is} plentiful, but the laborers {are} few.
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
And when he had called to {him} his twelve disciples, he gave them power {against} unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James {the son} of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James {the son} of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus;
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and enter ye not into {any} city of the Samaritans.
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as ye go, proclaim, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons: freely ye have received, freely give.
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;
Nor bag for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor a staff: for the workman is worthy of his food.
And into whatever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go thence.
And when ye come into a house, salute it.
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart from that house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Verily, I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
But beware of men: for they will deliver you to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
And ye will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given to you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
And the brother will deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children will rise up against {their} parents, and cause them to be put to death.
And ye will be hated by all {men} for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say to you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of man shall have come.
The disciple is not above {his} teacher, nor the servant above his lord.
It is enough for the disciple that he should be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord: if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more {will they call} them of his household?
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
What I tell you in darkness, {that} speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, {that} publish ye upon the house-tops.
And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
And a man's foes {will be} they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.
He that receiveth you, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward.
And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones, a cup of cold {water} only, in the name of a disciple, verily, I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
And it came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
And said to him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Jesus answered and said to them, Go and show John again those things which ye hear and see:
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
And blessed is {he} to whom I shall not be the cause of his falling into sin.
And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft {clothing} are in kings' houses.
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
For this is {he} concerning whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
Verily, I say to you, among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
And if ye will receive {it} , this is Elijah who was to come.
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like to children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows,
And saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; We have mourned to you, and ye have not lamented.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified by her children.
Then he began to upbraid the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they repented not.
Woe to thee, Chorazin; woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes.
Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and {he} to whomsoever the Son will reveal {him} .
Come to me, all {ye} that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me: for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls.
For my yoke {is} easy, and my burden is light.
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath through the corn, and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath.
But he said to them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
How he entered into the house of God, and ate the show-bread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them who were with him, but only for the priests?
Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
But I say to you, that in this place is {one} greater than the temple.
But if ye had known what {this} meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath.
And when he had departed thence, he went into their synagogue.
And behold, there was a man who had {his} hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath? that they might accuse him.
And he said to them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it shall fall into a pit on the sabbath, will he not lay hold on it, and lift {it} out?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch out thy hand. And he stretched {it} out; and {it} was restored to a sound state like the other.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
But when Jesus knew {it} , he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.
And charged them that they should not make him known:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Behold, my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not contend, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he shall send forth judgment to victory.
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Then was brought to him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb; and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spoke and saw.
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
But when the Pharisees heard {it} , they said, This {man} doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself, shall not stand.
And if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your children expel {them} ? therefore they shall be your judges.
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.
Or else, how can one enter into a strong man's house, and seize his goods, except he shall first bind the strong man? and then he will plunder his house.
He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad.
Wherefore I say to you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men: but the blasphemy {against} the {Holy} Spirit shall not be forgiven to men.
And whoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the {world} to come.
Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by {its} fruit.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.
A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things: and an evil man, out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things.
But I say to you, That for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh for a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly: so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah {is} here.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon {is} here.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and he findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth {it} empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last {state} of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation.
While he was yet speaking to the people, behold, {his} mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said to him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
The same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
And great multitudes were gathered to him, so that he went into a boat, and sat down; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
And when he sowed, some {seeds} fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them:
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
And when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had not root, they withered.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, some thirty-fold.
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And the disciples came, and said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables?
He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
For whoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
For this people's heart is become gross, and {their} ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with {their} eyes, and hear with {their} ears, and should understand with {their} heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed {are} your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
For verily I say to you, That many prophets and righteous {men} have desired to see {the things} which ye see, and have not seen {them} ; and to hear {the things} which ye hear, and have not heard {them} .
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth {it} not, then cometh the wicked {one} , and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it;
Yet he hath not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, forthwith he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth {it} ; who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty.
Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field:
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and departed.
But when the blade had sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
He said to them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said to him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them?
But he said, No; lest while ye gather the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge on its branches.
Another parable he spoke to them; The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable he spoke not to them:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came to him, saying, Declare to us the parable of the tares of the field.
He answered and said to them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked {one} ;
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them who do iniquity;
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall the righteous shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field; which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Which, when it was full, they drew to the shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast away the bad.
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus saith to them, Have ye understood all these things? They say to him, Yes, Lord.
Then said he to them, Therefore every scribe {who is} instructed to the kingdom of heaven, is like a man {that is} a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure {things} new and old.
And it came to pass, {that} when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
And when he had come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this {man} this wisdom, and {these} mighty works?
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this {man} all these things?
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
And he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
And said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he hath risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put {him} in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
For John had said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Upon which he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask.
And she, being before instructed by her mother, said, Give me here the head of John the Baptist in a dish.
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the sake of the oath, and of them who sat with him at table, he commanded {it} to be given {her} .
And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
And his head was brought in a dish, and given to the damsel: and she brought {it} to her mother.
And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
When Jesus heard {of it} , he departed thence in a boat, into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard {of it} , they followed him on foot out of the cities.
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards them, and he healed their sick.
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
But Jesus said to them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
And they say to him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
He said, Bring them hither to me.
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke, and gave the loaves to {his} disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they all ate, and were satisfied: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
And immediately Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a boat, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he ascended a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth {his} hand, and caught him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, Why didst thou doubt?
And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then they that were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, In truth thou art the son of God.
And when they had gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all the surrounding country, and brought to him all that were diseased;
And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were restored to health.
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, who were of Jerusalem, saying,
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
But he answered and said to them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
But ye say, Whoever shall say to {his} father or {his} mother, {It is} a gift, by whatever thou mightest be profited by me;
And honor not his father or his mother, {he shall be free} . Thus have ye made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
{Ye} hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and honor me with {their} lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching {for} doctrines the commandments of men.
And he called the multitude, and said to them, Hear, and understand:
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Then came his disciples, and said to him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying?
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be extirpated.
Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leadeth the blind, both will fall into the ditch.
Then answered Peter and said to him, Declare to us this parable.
And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
Do ye not yet understand, that whatever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
These are {the things} which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the territories of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same territories, and cried to him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, {thou} son of David; my daughter is grievously afflicted with a demon.
But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
But he answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Then came she and worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me.
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast {it} to dogs.
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crums which fall from their master's table.
Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great {is} thy faith: be it to thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh to the sea of Galilee; and ascended a mountain, and sat down there.
And great multitudes came to him, having with them {those that were} lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
So that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Then Jesus called his disciples {to him} , and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
And his disciples say to him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to satisfy so great a multitude?
And Jesus saith to them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
And he commanded the multitude to sit on the ground.
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke {them} , and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they all ate and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that were left seven baskets full.
And they that had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children.
And he sent away the multitude, and took a boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.
The Pharisees also and the Sadducees came, and, tempting, desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.
He answered and said to them, When it is evening, ye say, {It will be} fair weather: for the sky is red.
And in the morning, {It will be} foul weather to-day: for the sky is red and lowering. O {ye} hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not {discern} the signs of the times?
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh for a sign; and there shall no sign been to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them, and departed.
And when his disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, {It is} because we have taken no bread.
{Which} when Jesus perceived, he said to them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
How is it that ye do not understand that I spoke not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Then they understood that he did not caution them against the leaven of bread, but against the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
When Jesus came into the borders of Cesarea Phillippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some {say that thou art} John the Baptist: some Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
He saith to them, But who say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon-Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed {it} to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I say also to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Then he charged his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
From that time forth Jesus began to show to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be to thee.
But he turned, and said to Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offense to me: for thou savorest not the things that are of God, but those that are of men.
Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any {man} will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of man will come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he will reward every man according to his works.
Verily I say to you, There are some standing here, who shall not taste death, till they shall see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them upon a high mountain apart.
And {he} was transfigured before them: and his face shone as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with him.
Then answered Peter, and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.
And when the disciples heard {it} , they fell on their face, and were in great fear.
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
And as they were descending the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be raised again from the dead.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes, that Elijah must first come?
And Jesus answered and said to them, Elijah truly will first come, and restore all things:
But I say to you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done to him whatever they pleased: likewise will also the Son of man suffer by them.
Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them concerning John the Baptist.
And when they had come to the multitude, there came to him a {certain} man kneeling down to him, and saying,
Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and grievously distressed; for often he falleth into the fire, and often into the water.
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
And Jesus rebuked the demon, and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say to you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
However, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man will be betrayed into the hands of men:
And they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised again: And they were exceedingly grieved.
And when they had come to Capernaum, they that received tribute -{money} , came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute?
He saith, Yes. And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? from whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? from their own children, or from strangers?
Peter saith to him, From strangers. Jesus saith to him, Then are the children free.
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take the fish that first cometh up: and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: take that, and give to them for me and thee.
At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say to you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.
But whoever shall cause one of these little ones who believe in me, to sin, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and {that} he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!
Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to sin, cut them off, and cast {them} from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thy eye causeth thee to sin, pluck it out, and cast {it} from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell-fire.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? if a man hath a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go to the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray?
And if he findeth it, verily I say to you, he rejoiceth more over that {sheep} , than over the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will not hear {thee} , {then} take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell {it} to the church: but if he shall neglect to hear the church, let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican.
Verily I say to you, Whatever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, concerning any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.
For where two or three are assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king who would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
But as he had not ability to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took {him} by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest.
And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, having called him, said to him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Shouldst thou not also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
And it came to pass, {that} when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea, beyond Jordan:
And great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
The Pharisees also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
And he answered and said to them, Have ye not read, that he who made {them} , at the beginning made them male and female,
And said, For this {cause} shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. Therefore what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
He saith to them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
And I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except for lewdness, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoever marrieth her who is put away, committeth adultery.
His disciples say to him, If the case of the man is so with {his} wife, it is not good to marry.
But he said to them, All {men} cannot receive this saying, save {they} to whom it is given.
For there are some eunuchs, who were so born from {their} mothers womb: and there are some eunuchs, who were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive {it} , let him receive {it} .
Then were brought to him little children, that he should put {his} hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
And he laid {his} hands on them, and departed thence.
And behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?
And he said to him, Why callest thou me good? {there is} none good but one, {that is} , God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
He saith to him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honor thy father and {thy} mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The young man saith to him, All these things have I kept from my youth: what lack I yet?
Jesus said to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go {and} sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come {and} follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus to his disciples, Verily I say to you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard {it} , they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld {them} , and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter, and said to him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee? what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said to them, Verily I say to you, that ye who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many {that are} first shall be last, and the last {shall be} first.
For the kingdom of heaven is like to a man {that is} a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place,
And said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, I will give you. And they departed.
Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith to them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
They say to him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, {that} shall ye receive.
So when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them {their} hire, beginning from the last to the first.
And when they came that {were hired} about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
But when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
And when they had received {it} , they murmured against the master of the house.
Saying, These last have wrought {but} one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day.
But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?
Take {that} which {is} thine, and depart: I will give to this last, even as to thee.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? is thy eye evil because I am good?
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said to them,
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes, and they will condemn him to death,
And will deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify {him} : and the third day he will rise again.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children, with her sons, worshiping {him} , and desiring a certain thing of him.
And he said to her, What wilt thou: She saith to him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left in thy kingdom.
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say to him, We are able.
And he saith to them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but {it shall be given} to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.
And when the ten heard {it} , they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
But Jesus called them {to him} , and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
And whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
And behold, two blind men sitting by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, {thou} son of David.
And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, {thou} son of David.
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do to you?
They say to him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
So Jesus had compassion {on them} , and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Saying to them, Go into the village over against you, and immediately ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her, loose {them} , and bring {them} to me.
And if any {man} shall say aught to you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and immediately he will send them.
All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
And brought the ass and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set {him} thereon.
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed {them} in the way.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: blessed {is} he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
And when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves.
And said to them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were greatly displeased,
And said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith to them, Yes: have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany, and he lodged there.
Now in the morning as he was returning into the city, he was hungry.
And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing on it, but leaves only, and said to it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever. And immediately the fig-tree withered.
And when the disciples saw {it} , they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig-tree withered!
Jesus answered and said to them, Verily I say to you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this {which is done} to the fig-tree, but also, if ye shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
And all things whatever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things; and who gave thee this authority?
And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, if we shall say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why then did ye not believe him?
But if we shall say, From men; we fear the people: for all hold John as a prophet.
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
But what think ye? A {certain} man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go, work to-day in my vineyard.
He answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and went.
And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I {go} , sir: and went not.
Which of the two did the will of {his} father? They say to him, The first. Jesus saith to them, Verily I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen {it} , repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Hear another parable; There was a certain householder, who planted a vineyard, and hedged it around, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a remote country:
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Again he sent other servants more than the first: and they did to them in like manner.
But last of all he sent to them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
And they caught him, and cast {him} out of the vineyard, and slew {him} .
When therefore the Lord of the vineyard cometh, what will he do to those husbandmen?
They say to him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out {his} vineyard to other husbandmen, who will render him the fruits in their seasons.
Jesus saith to them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
Therefore I say to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits of it.
And whoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
And Jesus answered, and spoke to them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, who made a marriage for his son,
And sent his servants to call them that were invited to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent other servants, saying, Tell them who are invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and {my} fatlings {are} killed, and all things {are} ready: come to the marriage.
But they made light of {it} , and went, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.
And the remnant took his servants, and treated {them} spitefully, and slew {them} .
But when the king heard {of it} , he was wroth: and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then he saith to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were invited were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, invite to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and collected all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not a wedding-garment:
And he saith to him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast {him} into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few {are} chosen.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in {his} talk.
And they sent out to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any {man} : for thou regardest not the person of men.
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, {ye} hypocrites?
Show me the tribute-money. And they brought to him a penny.
And he saith to them, Whose {is} this image, and superscription?
They say to him, Cesar's. Then saith he to them, Render therefore to Cesar, the things which are Cesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.
When they had heard {these words} , they marveled, and left him, and departed.
The same day came to him the Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man shall die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
Now there were with us seven brothers: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased; and having no issue, left his wife to his brother.
Likewise the second also, and the third, to the seventh.
And last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said to them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
But as concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
And when the multitude heard {this} , they were astonished at his doctrine.
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were assembled about him.
Then one of them {who was} a lawyer, asked {him a question} , tempting him, and saying,
Master, which {is} the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second {is} like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them,
Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, {The son} of David.
He saith to them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thy enemies thy footstool?
If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son?
And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any {man} , from that day forth, ask him any more questions.
Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's seat.
All therefore, whatever they bid you observe, {that} observe and do: but do not ye according to their works: for they say, and do not.
For they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay {them} on men's shoulders; but they {themselves} will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do to be seen by men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
And greetings in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, {even} Christ; and all ye are brethren.
And call no {man} your father upon the earth: for one is your Father who is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, {even} Christ.
But he that is greatest among you, shall be your servant.
And whoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself, shall be exalted.
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in {yourselves} , neither suffer ye them that are entering, to go in.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him two-fold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Woe to you, {ye} blind guides, who say, Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.
{Ye} fools, and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
And whoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
{Ye} fools, and blind: for which {is} greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Whoever therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things upon it.
And whoever shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth in it.
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth upon it.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier {matters} of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ye ought to have done, and not to leave the others undone.
{Ye} blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
{Thou} blind Pharisee, cleanse first that {which is} within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like whitened sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead {men's} bones, and of all uncleanness.
Thus ye also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous,
And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Wherefore ye are witnesses to yourselves, that ye are the children of them who killed the prophets.
Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
{Ye} serpents, {ye} generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Wherefore behold, I send to you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and {some} of them ye will kill and crucify, and {some} of them ye will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute {them} from city to city:
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Verily I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, {thou} that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under {her} wings, and ye would not!
Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
For I say to you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed {is} he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to {him} to show him the buildings of the temple.
And Jesus said to them, See ye not all these things? verily I say to you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? and what {will be} the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and will deceive many.
And ye will hear of wars, and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all {these things} must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.
All these {are} the beginning of sorrows.
Then will they deliver you up to be afflicted, and will kill you: and ye will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.
And then will many be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another.
And many false prophets will rise, and will deceive many.
And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will become cold.
But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a testimony to all nations; and then shall the end come.
When therefore ye shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever readeth, let him understand,)
Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains:
Let him who is on the house-top not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe to them that are with child, and to them that nurse infants in those days!
But pray ye that your flight may not be in the winter, neither on the sabbath:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there would no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here {is} Christ, or there; believe {it} not.
For false Christs will arise, and false prophets, and will show great signs and wonders; so that, if {it were} possible, they would deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before.
Wherefore, if they shall say to you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, {he is} in the secret chambers; believe {it} not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even to the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wherever the carcass is, there will the eagles be collected.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable of the fig-tree; When its branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer {is} nigh:
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, {even at} the doors.
Verily I say to you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things shall be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
But of that day and hour knoweth no {man} , no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But as the days of Noah {were} , so will also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away: so also will be the coming of the Son of man.
Then will two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two {women will be} grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh.
But know this, that if the master of the house knew in what watch the thief would come, he would watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken up.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
Blessed {is} that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.
Verily I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming;
And shall begin to beat {his} fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for {him} , and in an hour that he is not aware of,
And will cut him asunder, and appoint {him} his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five {were} foolish.
They that {were} foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil: for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, {Not so} ; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say to you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh.
For {the kingdom of heaven is} as a man traveling into a far country, {who} called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods.
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and forthwith took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents, went and traded with the same, and gained other five talents.
And likewise he that {had received} two, he also gained other two.
But he that had received one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And he that had received five talents, came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst to me five talents: behold, I have gained besides them five talents more.
His lord said to him, Well done {thou} good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came, and said, Lord, thou deliveredst to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents besides them.
His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he who had received the one talent came, and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, {there} thou hast {what is} thine.
His lord answered and said to him, {Thou} wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not strewed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and {then} at my coming I should have received my own with interest.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give {it} to him who hath ten talents.
For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then will he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth {his} sheep from the goats:
And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then will the King say to them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was hungry, and ye gave me food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came to me.
Then will the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed {thee} ? or thirsty, and gave {thee} drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took {thee} in? or naked, and clothed {thee} ?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came to thee?
And the king will answer and say to them, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done {it} to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done {it} to me.
Then will he say also to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was hungry, and ye gave me no food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then will they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee?
Then will he answer them, saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did {it} not to one of the least of these, ye did {it} not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,
Ye know that after two days is the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Then assembled the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill {him} .
But they said, Not on the feast -{day} , lest there be an uproar among the people.
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
There came to him a woman having an alabaster-box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he sat {at table} .
But when his disciples saw {it} , they had indignation, saying, To what purpose {is} this waste?
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
When Jesus understood {it} , he said to them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did {it} for my burial.
Verily I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, {there} shall also this, which this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,
And said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Now the first {day} of the {feast of} unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
Now when the evening was come, he sat down with the twelve.
And as they were eating, he said, Verily I say to you, that one of you will betray me.
And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say to him, Lord, is it I?
And he answered and said, He that dippeth {his} hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.
The Son of man goeth, as it is written concerning him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man, if he had not been born.
Then Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said to him, Thou hast said.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed {it} , and broke {it} , and gave {it} to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave {it} to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sin.
But I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.
Then saith Jesus to them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Peter answered and said to him, Though all {men} shall be offended because of thee, {yet} will I never be offended.
Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, that this night, before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.
Peter said to him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Then cometh Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and saith to the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.
And he took with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou {wilt} .
And he cometh to the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith to Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed {is} willing, but the flesh {is} weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to them, Sleep on now, and take {your} rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And while he was yet speaking, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staffs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast.
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail Master; and kissed him.
And Jesus said to him, Friend, Why art thou come? Then they came, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
And behold, one of them, who were with Jesus, stretched out {his} hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and smote off his ear.
Then said Jesus to him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword, shall perish by the sword.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he will presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staffs to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
And they that had laid hold on Jesus, led {him} away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
But Peter followed him at a distance, to the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants to see the end.
Now the chief priests and elders, and all the council, sought false testimony against Jesus, to put him to death;
But found none: and, though many false witnesses came, {yet} found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
And said, This {man} said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
And the high priest arose, and said to him, Answerest thou nothing, what {is it which} these testify against thee?
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ the Son of God.
Jesus saith to him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Then they spit in his face, and buffetted him; and others smote {him} with the palms of their hands,
Saying, Prophesy to us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came to him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
But he denied before {them} all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
And when he had gone out into the porch, another {maid} saw him, and said to them that were there, This {man} was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came to {him} they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art {one} of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.
Then began he to curse and to swear, {saying} , I know not the man. And immediately the cock crowed.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who said to him, Before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
And when they had bound him, they led {him} away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. And they said, What {is that} to us? see thou {to that} .
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Wherefore that field has been called, The field of blood, to this day.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, Thou sayest.
And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Then saith Pilate to him, Hearest thou not how many things they testify against thee?
And he answered him to not a word; so that the governor marveled greatly.
Now at {that} feast, the governor was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would.
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Therefore when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, Whom will ye that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?
(For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.)
When he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream, because of him.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
The governor answered and said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release to you? They said, Barabbas.
Pilate saith to them, What shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ? {They} all say to him, Let him be crucified.
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but {that} rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed {his} hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye {to it} .
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood {be} on us, and on our children.
Then he released Barabbas to them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered {him} to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered to him the whole band {of soldiers} .
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put {it} upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews?
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and struck him on the head.
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify {him} .
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they constrained to bear his cross.
And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
They gave him vinegar to drink, mingled with gall: and when he had tasted {of it} , he would not drink.
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they cast lots.
And sitting down, they watched him there:
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then were there two thieves crucified with him: one on the right hand, and another on the left.
And they that passed by, reviled him, wagging their heads,
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest {it} in three days, save thyself. If thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking {him} , with the scribes and elders, said,
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he is King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
The thieves also who were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land to the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Some of them that stood there, when they heard {that} , said, This {man} calleth for Elijah.
And immediately one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled {it} with vinegar, and put {it} on a reed, and gave him to drink.
The rest said, Forbear, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, expired.
And behold, the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom: and the earth shook, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened, and many bodies of saints who slept, arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And many women were there (beholding at a distance) who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him:
Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
When the evening was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus.
He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.
And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulcher.
Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate,
Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Command therefore that the sepulcher be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say to the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error will be worse than the first.
Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch: go, make {it} as secure as ye can.
So they went, and having sealed the stone, made the sepulcher secure with a watch.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first {day} of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.
And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
And for fear of him the keepers trembled and became as dead {men} .
And the angel answered and said to the women, Fear ye not: for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples, that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulcher, with fear and great joy; and ran to bring word to his disciples.
And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came, and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.
Then said Jesus to them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed to the chief priests all the things that had been done.
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him {away} while we slept.
And if this shall come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
So they took the money, and did as they were instructed: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted.
And Jesus came, and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and upon earth.
Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, {even} to the end of the world. Amen.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God;
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee;
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John was baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.
And there went out to him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
And John was clothed with camels hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey;
And preached, saying, There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth to Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan.
And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.
And there came a voice from heaven, {saying} , Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan: and was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Now as he was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said to them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And immediately they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the {son} of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.
And immediately he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath he entered into the synagogue and taught.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let {us} alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine {is} this? for with authority he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region around Galilee.
And forthwith, when they had come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
But the mother of Simon's wife lay sick with a fever; and forthwith they tell him of her.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.
And at evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with demons.
And all the city was gathered at the door.
And he healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many demons; and suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew him.
And in the morning, rising a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him.
And when they had found him, they said to him, All {men} seek for thee.
And he said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for, for this purpose have I come.
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth {his} hand, and touched him, and saith to him, I will; be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
And he strictly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
And saith to him, See thou say nothing to any man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
But he went out, and began to publish {it} much, and to blaze abroad the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
And again he entered into Capernaum, after {some} days; and it was understood that he was in the house.
And forthwith many were assembled, so that there was no room to receive {them} , no not so much as about the door: and he preached the word to them.
And they come to him, bringing one sick with the palsy, who was borne by four.
And when they could not come nigh to him by reason of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken {it} up, they let down the bed on which the sick with the palsy lay.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the sick with the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this {man} thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the sick with the palsy, {Thy} sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, he saith to the sick with the palsy,
I say to thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
And he went forth again by the sea -{side} ; and all the multitude resorted to him, and he taught them.
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the {son} of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And it came to pass, that as Jesus sat at table in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him.
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with publicans and sinners, they said to his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners.
When Jesus heard {it} , he saith to them, They that are in health, have no need of a physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
And the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees, used to fast: and they come, and say to him, Why do the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast in those days.
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up, taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles, else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
And it came to pass, that he went through the corn-fields on the sabbath; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
And the Pharisees said to him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath that which is not lawful?
And he said to them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he and they that were with him?
How he went into the house of God, in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show-bread, which it is not lawful to eat, but for the priests, and gave also to them who were with him?
And he said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had a withered hand.
And they watched him, {to see} whether he would heal him on the sabbath; that they might accuse him.
And he saith to the man who had the withered hand, Stand forth.
And he saith to them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? but they held their peace.
And when he had looked around on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched {it} out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
And the Pharisees went forth, and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea.
And from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and {from} beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came to him.
And he spoke to his disciples, that a small boat should wait on him, because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
For he had healed many; so that they pressed upon him to touch him, as many as had diseases.
And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
And he strictly charged them, that they should not make him known.
And he goeth up upon a mountain, and calleth {to him} whom he would: and they came to him.
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out demons.
And Simon he surnamed Peter.
And James the {son} of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, (and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder,)
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the {son} of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him: and they went into a house.
And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
And when his friends heard {of it} , they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem, said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the demons he casteth out demons.
And he called them {to him} , and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and seize his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
Verily I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and any blasphemies with which they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never hath forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
There came then his brethren and his mother, and standing without, they sent to him, calling him.
And the multitude sat about him, and they said to him, Behold, thy mother, and thy brethren without seek for thee.
And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
And he looked around on them who sat about him, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren!
For whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
And he began again to teach by the sea-side: and there was gathered to him a great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat on the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea, on the land.
And he taught them many things by parables, and said to them in his doctrine,
Hearken; Behold, a sower went out to sow:
And it came to pass as he sowed, some fell by the way-side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth.
But when the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
And other fell on good ground, and yielded fruit that sprang up, and increased, and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred.
And he said to them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And when he was alone, they that were about him, with the twelve, asked of him the parable.
And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all {these} things are done in parables:
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and {their} sins should be forgiven them.
And he said to them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
The sower soweth the word.
And these are they by the way-side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
And these are they likewise who are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they relapse.
And these are they who are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
And these are they who are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive {it} , and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
And he said to them, Is a candle brought to be put under a close vessel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither hath any thing been kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And he said to them, Take heed what ye hear: With the measure which ye give, it shall be measured to you: and to you that hear shall more be given.
For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
And he said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
{It is} like a grain of mustard-seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth.
But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under its shade.
And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear {it} .
But without a parable he spoke not to them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
And the same day, when the evening was come, he saith to them, Let us pass over to the other side.
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the boat. And there were also with him other small boats.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the boat, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say to him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still: and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said to them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
And when he had come out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Who had {his} dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
For he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any {man} tame him.
And always, night and day, he was on the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped him,
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, {thou} Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
(For he said to him, Come out of the man, {thou} unclean spirit.)
And he asked him, What {is} thy name? And he answered, saying, My name {is} Legion: for we are many.
And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
Now there was there nigh to the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
And all the demons besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea (they were about two thousand) and were choked in the sea.
And they that fed the swine fled, and told {it} in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the demon, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
And they that saw {it} told them how it befell him that was possessed with the demon, and {also} concerning the swine.
And they began to pray him to depart out of their borders.
And when he had come into the boat, he that had been possessed with the demon prayed him that he might be with him.
Yet Jesus suffered him not, but saith to him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him. And all {men} wondered.
And when Jesus had passed over again in a boat to the other side, much people gathered to him: and he was nigh to the sea.
And behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: {I pray thee} , come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she will live.
And {Jesus} went with him; and many people followed him, and thronged him.
And a certain woman who had an issue of blood twelve years,
And had suffered many things from many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was not relieved, but rather grew worse,
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.
For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in {her} body that she was healed of that infirmity.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the throng, and said, Who touched my clothes?
And his disciples said to him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
And he looked around, to see her that had done this thing.
But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
And he said to her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be healed of thy infirmity.
While he was yet speaking, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's {house certain} who said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe,
And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
And when he had come in, he saith to them, Why make ye this tumult, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
And they derided him: but when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
And he took the damsel by the hand, and said to her, Talitha cumi: which is, being interpreted, Damsel (I say to thee) arise.
And forthwith the damsel arose, and walked; for she was {of the age} of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
And he charged them strictly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country, and his disciples follow him.
And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing {him} were astonished, saying, From whence hath this {man} these things? and what wisdom {is} this which is given to him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kindred, and in his own house.
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick persons, and healed {them} .
And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went around the villages teaching.
And he calleth {to him} the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
And commanded them that they should take nothing for {their} journey, save a staff only; no bag, no bread, no money in {their} purse:
But {be} shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
And he said to them, In whatever place ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence shake off the dust under your feet, for a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
And they went out and preached that men should repent.
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed {them} .
And king Herod heard {of him} (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist had risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
Others said, That it is Elijah. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
But when Herod heard {of him} , he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he hath risen from the dead.
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and observed him: and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
And when a convenient day had come, that Herod on his birth-day made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief {men} of Galilee;
And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod, and them that sat with him, the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give {it} thee.
And he swore to her, Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give {it} thee, to the half of my kingdom.
And she went forth, and said to her mother, What shall I ask? and she said, The head of John the Baptist.
And she came in forthwith with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou shouldst give me, immediately, in a dish, the head of John the Baptist.
And the king was exceeding sorry: {yet} for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.
And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
And brought his head in a dish, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
And when his disciples heard {of it} , they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
And the apostles assembled themselves to Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
And he said to them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
And they departed into a desert place in a boat privately.
And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran on foot thither out of all cities, and out went them, and came together to him.
And Jesus, when he came out, saw many people, and was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time {is} far passed:
Send them away, that they may go into the country around, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
He answered and said to them, Give ye them to eat. And they say to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
He saith to them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
And when he had taken the five loaves, and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave {them} to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes he divided among them all.
And they all ate, and were satisfied.
And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
And they that ate of the loaves, were about five thousand men.
And immediately he constrained his disciples to get into the boat, and to go to the other side before to Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
And when he had dismissed them, he departed to a mountain to pray.
And when evening was come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary to them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh to them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.
(For they all saw him, and were troubled.) And immediately he talked with them, and saith to them, Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid.
And he went up to them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
For they considered not {the miracle} of the loaves; for their heart was hardened.
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.
And when they had come out of the boat forthwith they knew him,
And ran through that whole region around, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch, if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him, were healed.
Then came together to him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who came from Jerusalem.
And when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled (that is to say with unwashed) hands, they found fault.
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash {their} hands often eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
And {when they come} from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there are, which they have received to hold, {as} the washing of cups, and pots, and of brazen vessels, and tables.
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?
He answered and said to them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with {their} lips, but their heart is far from me.
But, in vain do they worship me, teaching {for} doctrines the commandments of men.
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, {as} the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
And he said to them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition,
For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoever curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, {It is} Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatever thou mightest be profited by me; {he shall be free} .
And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother;
Making the word of God of no effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.
And when he had called all the people {to him} , he said to them, Hearken to me every one {of you} , and understand.
There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him, can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And when he had entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
And he saith to them, Are ye so void of understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatever thing from without entereth into the man, {it} cannot defile him.
Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all kinds of food.
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness;
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into a house, and would have no man know {it} : but he could not be hid.
For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
(The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation,) and she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.
But Jesus said to her, Let the children first be satisfied: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast {it} to the dogs.
And she answered and said to him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crums.
And he said to her, For this saying, depart; the demon is gone out of thy daughter.
And when she had come to her house, she found the demon had gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
And again, departing from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, he came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis.
And they bring to him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue.
And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith to him, Effatha, that is, Be opened.
And immediately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plain.
And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them; so much the more a great deal they published {it} ;
And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples, and saith to them,
I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for some of them came from a distance.
And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these {men} with bread here in the wilderness?
And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and broke, and gave to his disciples to set before {them} ; and they set {them} before the people.
And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before {them} .
So they ate, and were satisfied: and they took up of the fragments that were left, seven baskets.
And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he dismissed them.
And forthwith he entered into a boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek for a sign? Verily I say to you, There shall no sign be given to this generation.
And he left them, and entering into the boat again, departed to the other side.
Now {the disciples} had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the boat with them more than one loaf.
And he charged them saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and {of} the leaven of Herod.
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, {It is} because we have no bread.
And when Jesus knew {it} , he saith to them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
When I divided the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say to him, Twelve.
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
And he said to them, How is it that ye do not understand?
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man to him, and besought him to touch him.
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking.
After that, he put {his} hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell {it} to any in the town.
And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying to them, Who do men say that I am?
And they answered, John the Baptist: but some {say} , Elijah; and others, One of the prophets,
And he saith to them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith to him, Thou art the Christ.
And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
And he spoke that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
But when he had turned about, and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savorest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.
And when he had called the people {to him} with his disciples also, he said to them, Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever will save his life, shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul:
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also will the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
And he said to them, Verily I say to you, that there are some of them that stand here who shall not taste death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
And after six days, Jesus taketh {with him} Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up upon a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them.
And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.
And there appeared to them Elijah, with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
For he knew not what to say: for they were greatly terrified.
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
And suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
And he answered and told them, Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written concerning the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at naught.
But I say to you, that Elijah is indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they pleased, as it is written concerning him.
And when he came to {his} disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
And immediately all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to {him} , saluted him.
And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought to thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit;
And wherever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spoke to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not.
He answered him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you? bring him to me.
And they brought him to him: and when he saw him, immediately the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed, foaming.
And he asked his father, How long is it since this came to him? and he said, From a child.
And often it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Jesus said to him, If thou canst believe, all things {are} possible to him that believeth.
And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, {Thou} dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
And {the spirit} cried, and rent him severely, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; so that many said, He is dead.
But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
And when he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
And he said to them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know {it} .
For he taught his disciples, and said to them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and after that he is killed, he will rise the third day.
But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who {should be} the greatest.
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith to them, If any man desireth to be first, {the same} shall be last of all, and servant of all.
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said to them,
Whoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
But Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no man who shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
For he that is not against us, is on our part.
For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.
And whoever shall cause one of {these} little ones that believe in me, to fall into sin, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
And if thy hand causeth thee to fall into sin, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thy foot causeth thee to fall into sin, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thy eye causeth thee to fall into sin, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell-fire.
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
Salt {is} good: but if the salt hath lost its saltness, with what will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
And he arose from thence, and cometh into the borders of Judea, by the further side of Jordan: and the people resort to him again; and, as he was accustomed, he taught them again.
And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away {his} wife? tempting him.
And he answered and said to them, What did Moses command you?
And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put {her} away.
And Jesus answered and said to them, For the hardness of your heart, he wrote you this precept.
But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
And they two shall be one flesh: so then they are no more two, but one flesh.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man separate.
And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same {matter} .
And he saith to them, Whoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and {his} disciples rebuked those that brought {them} .
But when Jesus saw {it} , he was much displeased, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God, as a little child, he shall not enter it.
And he took them up in his arms, put {his} hands upon them, and blessed them.
And when he had gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? {there is} none good, but one, {that is} God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother.
And he answered and said to him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around, and saith to his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith to them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
And they were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
And Jesus looking upon them, saith, With men {it is} impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Then Peter began to say to him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Jesus answered and said, Verily I say to you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
But he shall receive a hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life.
But many {that are} first shall be last; and the last first.
And they were in the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen to him,
{Saying} , Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests, and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles;
And they will mock him, and will scourge him, and will spit upon him, and will kill him: and the third day he will rise again.
And James and John the sons of Zebedee come to him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatever we shall desire.
And he said to them, What would ye that I should do for you?
They said to him, Grant to us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
But Jesus said to them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
And they said to him, We can. And Jesus said to them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of: and with the baptism that I am baptized with shalt ye be baptized;
But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
And when the ten heard {it} , they began to be much displeased with James and John.
But Jesus called them, and saith to them, Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
But so it shall not be among you: but whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
And whoever of you will be the chief, shall be servant of all.
For even the son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway-side begging.
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, {thou} son of David, have mercy on me.
And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, {Thou} son of David, have mercy on me.
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called: and they call the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
And Jesus answered and said to him, What wilt thou that I should do to thee? The blind man said to him, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
And Jesus said to him, Go, thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, to Bethphage, and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
And saith to them, Go into the village over against you: and as soon as ye have entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, on which never man sat; loose him, and bring {him} .
And if any man shall say to you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and immediately he will send him hither.
And they went, and found the colt tied by the door without, in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
And certain of them that stood there, said to them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
And they said to them even as Jesus had commanded; and they let them go.
And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off trees, and strewed {them} in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna: Blessed {is} he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Blessed {be} the kingdom of our Father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round upon all things, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany, with the twelve.
And on the morrow, when they had come from Bethany, he was hungry,
And seeing a fig-tree afar off, having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing on it: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves: for the time of figs had not yet come.
And Jesus answered and said to it, Let no man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard {it} .
And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
And would not suffer that any man should carry {any} vessel through the temple.
And he taught, saying to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called by all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And the scribes and chief priests heard {it} , and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people were astonished at his doctrine.
And when evening had come, he went out of the city.
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.
And Peter calling to remembrance, saith to him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered.
And Jesus answering, saith to them, Have faith in God.
For verily I say to you, that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that the things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatever he saith.
Therefore I say to you, Whatever things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive {them} , and ye shall have {them} .
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
And say to him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
The baptism of John, was {it} from heaven, or from men? answer me.
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
But if we shall say, from men; they feared the people: for all {men} counted John that he was a prophet indeed.
And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
And he began to speak to them by parables. A {certain} man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about {it} , and digged {a place for} the wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
And they caught {him} , and beat him and sent {him} away empty.
And again, he sent to them another servant: and at him they cast stones, and wounded {him} in the head, and sent {him} away shamefully handled.
And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also last to them, saying, They will reverence my son.
But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.
And they took him, and killed {him} , and cast {him} out of the vineyard.
What therefore will the Lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and departed.
And they sent to him certain of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians, to catch him in {his} words.
And when they had come, they say to him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see {it} .
And they brought {it} : and he saith to them, Whose {is} this image and superscription? And they said to him, Cesar's.
And Jesus answering, said to them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they wondered at him.
Then come to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother shall die, and leave {his} wife, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise seed to his brother.
Now there were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her for a wife.
And Jesus answering, said to them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels who are in heaven.
And concerning the dead that they rise; have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke to him, saying, I {am} the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments {is} , Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this {is} the first commandment.
And the second {is} like, {namely} this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: there is no other commandment greater than these.
And the scribe said to him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is no other but he.
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love {his} neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?
For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thy enemies thy footstool.
David therefore himself calleth him Lord, and whence is he {then} his son? and the common people heard him gladly.
And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and {love} salutations in the market-places,
And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
Who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
And he called his disciples, and saith to them, Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast in more, than all they who have cast into the treasury.
For all {they} cast in of their abundance: but she of her want cast in all that she had, {even} all her living.
And as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples saith to him, Master, see what manner of stones, and what buildings {are here} !
And Jesus answering said to him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, over against the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, asked him privately,
Tell us, when will these things be? and what {will be} the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
And Jesus answering them, began to say, Take heed lest any {man} deceive you:
For many will come in my name, saying, I am {Christ} ; and will deceive many.
And when ye shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for {such things} must needs be; but the end {will} not {be} yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be earthquakes in {divers} places, and there will be famines, and troubles: these {are} the beginnings of sorrows.
But take heed to yourselves: for they will deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye will be beaten: and ye will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
But when they shall lead {you} , and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Now the brother will betray the brother to death, and the father the son: and children will rise up against {their} parents, and will cause them to be put to death.
And ye will be hated by all {men} for my name's sake: but he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand) then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains:
And let him that is on the house-top not go down into the house, neither enter {it} , to take any thing out of his house:
And let him that is in the field not turn back again to take up his garment.
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that nurse infants in those days.
And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
For {in} those days shall be affliction, such as hath not been from the beginning of the creation which God created to this time, neither shall be.
And except the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
And then, if any man shall say to you, Lo, here {is} Christ; or lo, {he is} there; believe {him} not.
For false Christs, and false prophets will rise, and will show signs and wonders, to seduce, if {it were} possible, even the elect.
But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
And then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
And then he will send his angels, and will assemble his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When its branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, {even} at the doors.
Verily I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things shall be done.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
But of that day and {that} hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
{For the son of man is} as a man taking a long journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work; and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly, he should find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.
After two days was {the feast of} the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests, and the scribes, sought how they might take him by craft, and put {him} to death.
But they said, Not on the feast -{day} , lest there should be an uproar of the people.
And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious; and she broke the box, and poured {it} on his head.
And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
For ye have the poor with you always, and whenever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
She hath done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
Verily I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, {this} also that she hath done shall be spoken of, for a memorial of her.
And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them.
And when they heard {it} , they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said to him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare, that thou mayest eat the passover?
And he sendeth two of his disciples, and saith to them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
And wherever he shall go in, say ye to the master of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where I may eat the passover with my disciples?
And he will show you a large upper room furnished {and} prepared: there make ready for us.
And his disciples went, and came into the city, and found as he had said to them: and they made ready the passover.
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
And as they sat, and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say to you, One of you who eateth with me, will betray me.
And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one by one, {Is} it I? and another {said} , {Is} it I?
And he answered and said to them, {It is} one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish.
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written concerning him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke {it} , and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave {it} to them: and they all drank of it.
And he said to them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Verily I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.
And Jesus saith to them, All ye will be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
But Peter said to him, Although all shall be offended, yet {will} not I.
And Jesus saith to him, Verily I say to thee, that this day, {even} in this night, before the cock shall crow twice, thou wilt deny me thrice.
But he spoke the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
And he taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and to be very heavy;
And saith to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful to death: tarry ye here, and watch.
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, If it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
And he said, Abba, Father, all things {are} possible to thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.
And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldst not thou watch one hour?
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly {is} ready, but the flesh {is} weak.
And again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words.
And when he returned, he found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy:) neither knew they what to answer him.
And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, Sleep on now, and take {your} rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
And immediately while he was yet speaking, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staffs, from the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders.
And he that betrayed him, had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead {him} away safely.
And as soon as he was come, he goeth immediately to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
And Jesus answered and said to them, Have ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and {with} staffs to take me?
I was daily with you in the temple, teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
And they all forsook him, and fled.
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about {his} naked {body} ; and the young men laid hold on him.
And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders and the scribes.
And Peter followed him at a distance, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
And the chief priests, and all the council sought for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
For many bore false testimony against him, but their testimony agreed not together.
And there arose certain, and bore false testimony against him, saying,
We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
But neither so did their testimony agree together.
And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these testify against thee?
But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, Prophesy: and the servants struck him with the palms of their hands.
And as Peter was below in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
But he denied, saying, I know not, neither do I understand what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crowed.
And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is {one} of them.
And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art {one} of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth {thereto} .
But he began to curse and to swear, {saying} , I know not this man of whom ye speak.
And the second time the cock crowed. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said to him, Before the cock shall crow twice, thou wilt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
And forthwith in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried {him} away, and delivered {him} to Pilate.
And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering, said to him, Thou sayest {it} .
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they testify against thee.
But Jesus yet answered nothing: so that Pilate marveled.
Now at {that} feast he released to them one prisoner, whom they desired.
And there was {one} named Barabbas, {who lay} bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
And the multitude crying aloud, began to desire {him to do} as he had ever done to them.
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release to you the King of the Jews?
(For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.)
But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
And Pilate answered, and said again to them, What will ye then that I shall do {to him} whom ye call the King of the Jews?
And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
And {so} Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Pretorium; and they call together the whole band;
And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his {head} ,
And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they struck him on the head with a reed, and spit upon him, and bowing {their} knees, worshiped him.
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
And they constrain one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was passing by, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
And they bring him to the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
And they gave him to drink, wine mingled with myrrh: but he received {it} not.
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And with him they crucify two thieves, the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
And they that passed by, railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest {it} in three days,
Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking, said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others, himself he cannot save.
Let Christ the king of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him, reviled him.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land, until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama, sabacthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
And some of them that stood by, when they heard {it} , said, Behold, he calleth Elijah.
And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put {it} on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and expired.
And the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom.
And when the centurion who stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and expired, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
There were also women looking on at a distance, among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger, and of Joses, and Salome;
Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered to him; and many other women who came with him to Jerusalem.
And now, when the evening was come, (because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath)
Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counselor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly to Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
And Pilate wondered if he was already dead: and calling the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
And when he knew {it} from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped {him} in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher.
And Mary Magdalene and Mary {the mother} of Joses, beheld where he was laid.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the {mother} of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And very early in the morning, the first {day} of the week, they came to the sepulcher at the rising of the sun:
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll away for us the stone from the door of the sepulcher?
(And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away) for it was very great.
And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were frightened.
And he saith to them, Be not frightened: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him:
But go, tell his disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said to you.
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled, and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any {man} ; for they were afraid.
Now when {Jesus} was risen early, the first {day} of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons.
{And} she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, believed not.
After that, he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking and going into the country.
And they went and told {it} to the residue: neither believed they them.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven, as they sat at table, and upbraided them with their unbelief, and hardness of heart, because they believed not them who had seen him after he was risen.
And he said to them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak in new languages;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with {them} , and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Even as they delivered them to us, who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word;
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
That thou mayest know the certainty of those things in which thou hast been instructed.
There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife {was} of the daughters of Aaron, and her name {was} Elisabeth.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were far advanced in years.
And it came to pass, that, while he executed the priests' office before God in the order of his course,
According to the custom of the priests' office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense.
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw {him} , he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years.
And the angel answering, said to him, I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak to thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.
And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.
And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned to them, and remained speechless.
And it came to pass, that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and secluded herself five months, saying,
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days in which he looked on {me} , to take away my reproach among men.
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name {was} Mary.
And the angel came to her, and said, Hail, {thou that art} highly favored, the Lord {is} with thee: blessed {art} thou among women.
And when she saw {him} , she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.
And he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Highest will overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren:
For with God nothing will be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill-country with haste, into a city of Judah,
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb: and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
And she spoke with a loud voice, and said, Blessed {art} thou among women, and blessed {is} the fruit of thy womb.
And whence {is} this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
And blessed {is} she that believed that there will be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy {is} his name.
And his mercy {is} on them that fear him, from generation to generation.
He hath shown strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from {their} seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent away empty.
He hath sustained his servant Israel, in remembrance of {his} mercy;
As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
And her neighbors and her cousins heard that the Lord had shown great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
And his mother answered and said, Not {so} ; but he shall be called John.
And they said to her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all wondered.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue {loosed} , and he spoke, and praised God.
And fear came on all that dwelt around them; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill-country of Judea.
And all they that had heard {them} , laid {them} up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child will this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed {be} the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David:
As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy {promised} to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant:
The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,
That he would grant to us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation to his people, by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God; by which the day-spring from on high hath visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness and {in} the shades of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing to Israel.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
({And} this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were in great fear.
And the angel said to them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.
For to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this {shall be} a sign to you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.
And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen {it} , they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard {it} , wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered {them} in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, who was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present {him} to the Lord;
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that is the first born of his mother shall be called holy to the Lord)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name {was} Simeon; and the same man {was} just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came by the spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For my eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken concerning him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this {child} is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(And a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
And she {was} a widow of about eighty four years, who departed not from the temple, but served {God} with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not {of it} .
But they, supposing him to be in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among {their} relations and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said to them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
And they understood not the saying which he spoke to them.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanius the tetrarch of Abilene,
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins;
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways {shall be} made smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized by him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for {our} father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
He answereth and saith to them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath provisions, let him do likewise.
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Master, what shall we do?
And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
And the soldiers likewise asked him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse {any} falsely, and be content with your wages.
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts concerning John, whether he was the Christ, or not;
John answered, saying to {them} all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
Whose fan {is} in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
And many other things in his exhortation he preached to the people.
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, who was {the son} of Heli,
Who was {the son} of Matthat, who was {the son} of Levi, who was {the son} of Melchi, who was {the son} of Janna, who was {the son} of Joseph,
Who was {the son} of Mattathias, who was {the son} of Amos, who was {the son} of Naum, who was {the son} of Esli, who was {the son} of Nagge,
Who was {the son} of Maath, who was {the son} of Mattathias, who was {the son} of Semei, who was {the son} of Joseph, who was {the son} of Juda,
Who was {the son} of Joanna, who was {the son} of Rhesa, who was {the son} of Zorobabel, who was {the son} of Salathiel, who was {the son} of Neri,
Who was {the son} of Melchi, who was {the son} of Addi, who was {the son} of Cosam, who was {the son} of Elmodam, who was {the son} of Er,
Who was {the son} of Jose, who was {the son} of Eliezer, who was {the son} of Jorim, who was {the son} of Matthat, who was {the son} of Levi,
Who was {the son} of Simeon, who was {the son} of Judah, who was {the son} of Joseph, who was {the son} of Jonan, who was {the son} of Eliakim,
Who was {the son} of Melea, who was {the son} of Menan, who was {the son} of Mattatha, who was {the son} of Nathan, who was {the son} of David,
Who was {the son} of Jesse, who was {the son} of Obed, who was {the son} of Booz, who was {the son} of Salmon, who was {the son} of Naasson,
Who was {the son} of Aminadab, who was {the son} of Aram, who was {the son} of Esrom, who was {the son} of Phares, who was {the son} of Judah,
Who was {the son} of Jacob, who was {the son} of Isaac, who was {the son} of Abraham, who was {the son} of Terah, who was {the son} of Nahor,
Who was {the son} of Serug, who was {the son} of Reu, who was {the son} of Peleg, who was {the son} of Heber, who was {the son} of Sala,
Who was {the son} of Cainan, who was {the son} of Arphaxad, who was {the son} of Shem, who was {the son} of Noah, who was {the son} of Lamech,
Who was {the son} of Methuselah, who was {the son} of Enoch, who was {the son} of Jared, who was {the son} of Maleleel, who was {the son} of Cainan,
Who was {the son} of Enos, who was {the son} of Seth, who was {the son} of Adam, who was {the son} of God.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Being forty days tempted by the devil. And in those days he ate nothing; and when they were ended, he was afterward hungry.
And the devil said to him, If thou art the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
And the devil taking him up upon a high mountain, showed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said to him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered to me, and to whomsoever I will, I give it.
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
And Jesus answered and said to him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, If thou art the son of God, cast thyself down from hence.
For it is written, He will give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
And in {their} hands they will bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And Jesus answering, said to him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the surrounding region.
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath, and stood up to read.
And there was delivered to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
The spirit of the Lord {is} upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
And he closed the book, and he gave {it} again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And he began to say to them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And all bore him testimony, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
And he said to them, Ye will surely say to me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
And he said, Verily I say to you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
But I tell you in truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut three years and six months when great famine was throughout all the land:
But to none of them was Elijah sent, save to Sarepta, {a city} of Sidon, to a woman {that was} a widow.
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
But he passing through the midst of them, went away,
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath-days.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
And in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice,
Saying, Let {us} alone; what have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the demon had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying, What a word {is} this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
And the fame of him went out into every place of the surrounding country.
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And the mother of Simon's wife was taken with a violent fever; and they besought him for her.
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered to them.
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them to him: and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking {them} , suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
And when it was day, he departed, and went into a desert place; and the people sought him, and came to him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
And he said to them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, for therefore am I sent.
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
And it came to pass, that as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret.
And saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing {their} nets.
And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the boat.
Now when he had left speaking, he said to Simon, Lanch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said to him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net broke.
And they beckoned to {their} partners, who were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw {it} , he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
And so {was} also James and John the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold, a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus, fell on {his} face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And he put forth {his} hand, and touched him, saying, I will: Be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded for a testimony to them.
But so much the more a fame of him went abroad: and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was {present} to heal them.
And behold, men brought in a bed a man who was taken with the palsy: and they sought {means} to bring him in, and to lay {him} before him.
And when they could not find by what {way} they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went upon the house-top, and let him down through the tiling with {his} couch, into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said to him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering, said to them, What reason ye in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Rise and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, He said to the sick with the palsy, I say to thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thy house.
And immediately he arose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me.
And he left all, arose, and followed him.
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; and there was a great company of publicans, and of others that sat down with them.
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
And Jesus answering, said to them, They that are well need not a physician; but they that are sick.
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And they said to him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise {the disciples} of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
And he said to them, Can ye make the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast in those days.
And he spoke also a parable to them: No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old: if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was {taken} out of the new, agreeth not with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles will perish.
But new wine must be put into new bottles, and both are preserved.
No man also having drank old {wine} , immediately desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through corn-fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and ate, rubbing {them} in {their} hands.
And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath-days?
And Jesus answering them, said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was hungry, and they who were with him;
How he went into the house of God, and took and ate the show-bread, and gave also to them that were with him, which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
And he said to them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue, and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered:
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, {to see} whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find an accusation against him.
But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, Rise, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose, and stood forth.
Then said Jesus to them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath-days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy {it} ?
And looking around upon them all, he said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out to a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And when it was day, he called {to him} his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named Apostles;
Simon (whom he also named Peter) and Andrew his brother, James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew,
Matthew and Thomas, James the {son} of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes,
And Judas {the brother} of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain; and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
And they that were afflicted with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
And the whole multitude sought to touch him; for there went virtue out of him, and healed {them} all.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed {are ye} poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed {are} ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed {are ye} that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you {from their company} , and shall reproach {you} , and cast out your name as evil, on account of the son of man.
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward {is} great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers to the prophets.
But woe to you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Woe to you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you.
And to him that smiteth thee on the {one} cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke, forbid not {to take thy} coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask {them} not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them who love you, what thanks have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them who do good to you, what thanks have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend {to them} from whom ye hope to receive, what thanks have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much in return.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and {to} the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye give {to others} , it shall be measured to you again.
And he spoke a parable to them; Can the blind lead the blind? will they not both fall into the ditch?
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect, shall be as his master.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thy eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thy own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit: for from thorns men do not gather figs, nor from a bramble bush do they gather grapes.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for from the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Whoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like.
He is like a man who built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that, without a foundation, built a house on the earth, against which the stream beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die.
And when he heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof;
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come to thee; but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth {it} .
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned himself about and said to the people that followed him, I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well that had been sick.
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and many people.
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and many people of the city were with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier: And they that bore {him} stood still. And he said, Young man, I say to thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak, and he delivered him to his mother.
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet hath risen among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the neighboring region.
And the disciples of John informed him of all these things.
And John calling two of his disciples sent {them} to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
When the men had come to him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us to thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
And in that same hour he cured many of {their} infirmities, and diseases, and of evil spirits; and to many {that were} blind he gave sight.
Then Jesus answering, said to them, Go, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; that the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
And blessed is {he} , to whom I shall not be a stumbling block.
And when the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they who are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.
This is {he} , concerning whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
For I say to you, Among those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.
And all the people that heard {him} , and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized by him.
And the Lord said, To what then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
They are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread, nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a demon.
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.
But wisdom is justified by all her children.
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down at table.
And behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that {Jesus} sat at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box of ointment,
And stood at his feet behind {him} weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped {them} with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed {them} with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him, saw {it} , he spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who, and what manner of woman {this is} that toucheth him, for she is a sinner.
And Jesus answering, said to him, Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. And he saith, Master, speak.
There was a certain creditor, who had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Simon answered and said, I suppose that {he} , to whom he forgave most. And he said to him, Thou hast rightly judged.
And he turned to the woman, and said to Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped {them} with the hairs of her head.
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Wherefore I say to thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, {the same} loveth little.
And he said to her, Thy sins are forgiven.
And they that sat at table with him, began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve {were} with him,
And certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven demons.
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to him of their substance.
And when many people were collected, and had come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable:
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered, because it lacked moisture.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bore fruit a hundred-fold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And his disciples asked him, saying, What doth this parable mean?
And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Those by the way side, are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
They on the rock {are they} , who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
And that which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of {this} life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
But that on the good ground are they, who in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep {it} , and bring forth fruit with patience.
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth {it} under a bed; but setteth {it} on a candlestick, that they who enter in may see the light.
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither {any thing} hid, that shall not be known, and come abroad.
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whoever hath, to him shall be given; and whoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Then came to him {his} mother and his brethren, and could not come near to him for the crowd.
And it was told to him {by certain} , who said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
And he answered and said to them, My mother and my brethren are these who hear the word of God, and do it.
Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a boat with his disciples: and he said to them, Let us go over to the other side of the lake. And they lanched forth.
But as they sailed, he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled {with water} , and were in jeopardy.
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind, and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
And he said to them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid, wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, who had demons a long time, and wore no clothes, neither abode in {any} house, but in the tombs.
When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, {thou} Son of God most high? I beseech thee torment me not.
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For often it had caught him, and he was kept bound with chains, and in fetters: and he broke the bands, and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.)
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many demons had entered into him.
And they besought him, that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
Then the demons went out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
When they that fed {them} saw what was done, they fled, and went and told {it} in the city and in the country.
Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man out of whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
They also who saw {it} , told them by what means he that was possessed by the demons was healed.
Then the whole multitude of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes, besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear. And he went into the boat, and returned.
Now the man out of whom the demons had departed, besought him that he might be with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,
Return to thy own house, and show how great things God hath done to thee. And he went away and published throughout the whole city, how great things Jesus had done to him.
And it came to pass, that, when Jesus had returned, the people {gladly} received him: for they were all waiting for him.
And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at the feet of Jesus, and besought him that he would come into his house:
For he had one daughter only, about twelve years of age, and she lay dying. (But as he was going, the people thronged him.
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed by any,
Came behind {him} , and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter, and they that were with him, said, Master, the multitude throng thee, and press {thee} , and sayest thou, Who touched me?
And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue hath gone out of me.
And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared to him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
And he said to her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
While he was yet speaking, there cometh one from the house of the ruler of the synagogue, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead: trouble not the Master.
But when Jesus heard {it} , he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be healed.
And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
And all wept and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not: she is not dead, but sleepeth.
And they derided him, knowing that she was dead.
And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
And her spirit came again, and she arose immediately: and he commanded to give her food.
And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
And he said to them, Take nothing for {your} journey, neither staffs, nor bag, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
And into whatever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.
And whoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John had risen from the dead;
And by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the ancient prophets had risen again.
And Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
And the apostles, when they had returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
And the people, when they knew {it} , followed him: and he received them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
And when the day began to decline, then came the twelve, and said to him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country around, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
But he said to them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy provisions for all this people.
For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Then he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
And they ate, and were all satisfied: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them, twelve baskets.
And it came to pass, as he was in retirement praying, his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, Who say the people that I am?
They answering, said, John the Baptist; but some {say} , Elijah; and others {say} , that one of the ancient prophets is risen again.
He said to them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answering, said, Christ of God.
And he strictly charged them, and commanded {them} to tell no man that thing,
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be put to death, and be raised the third day.
And he said to {them} all, If any {man} will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
For whoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
For whoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and {in that of his} Father, and of the holy angels.
But I tell you in truth, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.
And it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, he took Peter, and John, and James, and went up upon a mountain to pray.
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment {was} white {and} glistening.
And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah.
Who appeared in glory, and spoke of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.
While he was thus speaking, there came a cloud and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept {it} close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they had come down from the hill, many people met him.
And behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee look upon my son: for he is my only child.
And lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and bruising him, hardly departeth from him.
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not.
And Jesus answering, said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
And as he was yet coming, the demon threw him down, and tore {him} . And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they were all wondering at all things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men.
But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him concerning that saying.
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
And said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
And Jesus said to him, Forbid {him} not: for he that is not against us, is for us.
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw {this} , they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save {them} . And they went to another village.
And it came to pass, that as they were going in the way, a certain {man} said to him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air {have} nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay {his} head.
And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go {and} bid them farewell who are at my house.
And Jesus said to him, No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city, and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he to them, The harvest truly {is} great, but the laborers {are} few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.
Go: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Carry neither purse, nor sack, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
And into whatever house ye enter, first say, Peace {be} to this house.
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
And into whatever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them, The kingdom of God is come nigh to you.
But into whatever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh to you.
But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
Woe to thee, Chorazin! woe to thee Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.
He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.
And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through thy name.
And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered to me by my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and {he} to whom the Son will reveal {him} .
And he turned himself to {his} disciples, and said privately, Blessed {are} the eyes which see the things that ye see.
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen {them} ; and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard {them} .
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said to him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
And he said to him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
And Jesus answering said, A certain {man} went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded {him} , and departed, leaving {him} half dead.
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked {on him} , and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came were he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion {on him} ,
And went to {him} , and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave {them} to the host, and said to him, Take care of him: and whatever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers?
And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Now it came to pass, as they were going, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered, and said to her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious, and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
And it came to pass, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves:
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you.
For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door shall be opened.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if {he shall ask} a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will {your} heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
And he was casting out a demon, and it was dumb. And it came to pass when the demon was gone out, the dumb spoke; and the people wondered.
But some of them said, He casteth out demons through Beelzebub, the chief of the demons.
And others tempting {him} , sought from him a sign from heaven.
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house {divided} against a house falleth.
If Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast {them} out? therefore shall they be your judges.
But if I with the finger of God cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest: and finding none, he saith, I will return to my house whence I came out.
And when he cometh, he findeth {it} swept and garnished.
Then he goeth and taketh {to him} seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last {state} of that man is worse than the first.
And it came to pass, as he was speaking these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said to him, Blessed {is} the womb that bore thee, and the paps which nourished thee.
But he said, Yes, rather blessed {are} they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
And when the people were assembled in crowds, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also shall the Son of man be to this generation.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth, to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon {is} here.
The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah {is} here.
No man when he hath lighted a candle, putteth {it} in a secret place, neither under a close vessel, but on a candlestick, that they who come in may see the light.
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thy eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when {thy eye} is evil, thy body also {is} full of darkness.
Take heed therefore, that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
If thy whole body therefore {be} full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light; as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
And as he was speaking, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to eat.
And when the Pharisee saw {it} , he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner.
And the Lord said to him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
{Ye} fools, did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also?
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and behold, all things are clean to you.
But woe to you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the others undone.
Woe to you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over {them} are not aware {of them} .
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said to him, Master, thus saying, thou reproachest us also.
And he said, Woe to you also, {ye} lawyers, for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Woe to you! for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Truly ye bear testimony, that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers.
Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and {some} of them they will slay and persecute:
That the blood of all the prophets, which hath been shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias, who perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say to you, It shall be required of this generation.
Woe to you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye have not entered in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
And as he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge {him} vehemently, and to solicit him to speak of many things;
Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him.
In the mean time, when there was gathered an innumerable multitude of people, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Therefore, whatever ye have spoken in darkness, shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops.
And I say to you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Also I say to you, Whoever shall confess me before men, him will the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.
But he that denieth me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God.
And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but to him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven.
And when they bring you to the synagogues, and {before} magistrates, and powers, be not solicitous how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
For the Holy Spirit will teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
And one of the company said to him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
And he said to him, Man, who made me a judge, or a divider over you?
And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to deposit my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I deposit all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast abundance of goods laid up for many years; take thy ease, eat, drink, {and} be merry.
But God said to him, {Thou} fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?
So {is} he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.
And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
The life is more than food, and the body {is more} than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: which neither have store-house, nor barn; and God feedeth them: How much more are ye better than the fowls?
And which of you by solicitude can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then are not able to do that thing which is least, why are ye anxious for the rest?
Consider the lilies how they grow: They toil not, they spin not; and yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more {will he clothe} you, O ye of little faith?
And seek ye not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell what ye have, and give alms: provide yourselves bags which become not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Let your loins be girt, and {your} lights burning;
And ye yourselves like men that wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.
Blessed {are} those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them to sit down to eat, and will come forth and serve them.
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find {them} so, blessed are those servants.
And this know, that if the master of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would watch, and not suffer his house to be broken through.
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Then Peter said to him, Lord, speakest thou this parable to us, or even to all?
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom {his} lord shall make ruler over his household, to give {them their} portion of provisions in due season?
Blessed {is} that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
In truth I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men-servants, and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken?
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for {him} , and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him asunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
And that servant who knew his lord's will, and prepared not {himself} , neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many {stripes} .
But he that knew not, and committed things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few {stripes} . For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, from him they will ask the more.
I am come to send fire on the earth, and what will I, if it is already kindled?
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it shall be accomplished!
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, No; but rather division:
For from henceforth there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
The father will be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, immediately ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
And when {ye perceive} the south wind blowing, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
{Ye} hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, and of the earth; but how is it, that ye do not discern this time?
And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
When thou goest with thy adversary to the magistrate, {as thou art} in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he draw thee before the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answering, said to them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, No; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, No; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
He spoke also this parable: A certain {man} had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit on it, and found none.
Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
And he answering, said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung {it} :
And if it shall bear fruit, {well} : and if not, {then} after that thou shalt cut it down.
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise raise {herself} .
And when Jesus saw her, he called {her to him} , and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thy infirmity.
And he laid {his} hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and said to the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath.
The Lord then answered him, and said, {Thou} hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or {his} ass from the stall, and lead {him} away to watering?
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?
And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I resemble it?
It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden, and it grew, and became a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying towards Jerusalem.
Then said one to him, Lord, are there few that are saved? And he said to them,
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
When once the master of the house hath risen, and hath shut the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; and he will answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are:
Then ye will begin to say, We have eaten and drank in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
But he will say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are: depart from me, all {ye} workers of iniquity.
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you {yourselves} excluded.
And they will come from the east, and {from} the west, and from the north, and {from} the south, and will sit down in the kingdom of God.
And behold, there are last, who shall be first; and there are first who shall be last.
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying to him, Go out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee.
And he said to them, Go ye and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third {day} I shall be perfected.
Nevertheless, I must walk to-day and to-morrow, and the {day} following: for it cannot be that a prophet should perish out of Jerusalem.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee; how often would I have gathered thy children, as a hen {gathereth} her brood under {her} wings, and ye would not!
Behold, your house is left to you desolate. And verily I say to you, ye shall not see me, until {the time shall} come when ye shall say, Blessed {is} he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath, that they watched him.
And behold, there was a certain man before him who had the dropsy.
And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?
And they held their peace. And he took {him} and healed him, and let him go;
And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not forthwith pull him out on the sabbath?
And they could not answer him again to these things.
And he put forth a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying to them,
When thou art invited by any {man} to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honorable man than thou be invited by him;
And he that invited thee and him, shall come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
But when thou art invited, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that invited thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have honor in the presence of them that sit at table with thee.
For whoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Then said he also to him that invited him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor {thy} rich neighbors; lest they also invite thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
And thou shalt be blessed: for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
And when one of them that sat at table with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed {is} he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Then said he to him, A certain man made a great supper, and invited many:
And sent his servant at supper-time, to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
And they all with one {consent} began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have married a wife: and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel {them} to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say to you, that none of those men who were invited, shall taste my supper.
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said to them,
If any {man} cometh to me, and hateth not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he hath {sufficient} to finish {it} ?
Lest perhaps after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish {it} , all that behold {it} begin to mock him,
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an embassy, and desireth conditions of peace.
So likewise, whoever he is of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Salt {is} good: but if the salt hath lost its savor, with what shall it be seasoned?
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill, {but} men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners to hear him.
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And he spoke this parable to them, saying,
What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loseth one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he findeth it?
And when he hath found {it} , he layeth {it} on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together {his} friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loseth one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findeth {it} ?
And when she hath found {it} , she calleth {her} friends and {her} neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Likewise, I say to you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
And he said, A certain man had two sons:
And the younger of them said to {his} father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth {to me} . And he divided to them {his} living.
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put {it} on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on {his} feet:
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill {it} ; and let us eat, and be merry:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him in health.
And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his father came out, and entreated him.
And he answering, said to {his} father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
But as soon as this thy son had come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all that I have is thine.
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward; and the same was accused to him that he had wasted his goods.
And he called him, and said to him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship: for thou mayest be no longer steward.
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.
I am resolved what to do, that when I am removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
So he called every one of his lord's debtors, and said to the first, How much owest thou to my lord?
And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said to him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said to him, Take thy bill, and write eighty.
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true {riches} ?
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who will give you that which is your own?
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things, and they derided him.
And he said to them, Ye are they who justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God.
The law and the prophets {were} until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Whoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whoever marrieth her that is put away from {her} husband, committeth adultery.
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried:
And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us, that {would come} from thence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, No, father Abraham: but if one shall go to them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one shall rise from the dead.
Then he said to the disciples, It is impossible but that causes of sin will come: but woe {to him} by whom they come!
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he shall repent forgive him.
And if he shall trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day shall turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith.
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say to this sycamine-tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it would obey you.
But which of you having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, will say to him immediately, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to eat?
And will not rather say to him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drank; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Doth he thank that servant, because he did the things that were commanded him? I suppose not.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which it was our duty to do.
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood at a distance.
And they lifted up {their} voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
And when he saw {them} , he said to them, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that as they were going, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
And fell down on {his} face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where {are} the nine?
There are not found returning to give glory to God, save this stranger.
And he said to him, Arise, depart: thy faith hath made thee whole.
And when he was asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.
Neither will they say, Lo here! or lo there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
And he said to his disciples, The days will come, when ye will desire to see one of the days of the son of man, and ye shall not see {it} .
And they will say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after {them} , nor follow them.
For as the lightning that lighteneth from the one {part} under heaven, shineth to the other {part} under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
But first he must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation.
And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed {them} all:
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
In that day, he who shall be upon the house-top, and his furniture in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Remember Lot's wife.
Whoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it.
I tell you, in that night there will be two {men} in one bed; the one will be taken, and the other will be left.
Two {women} will be grinding together; the one will be taken, and the other left.
Two {men} will be in the field; the one will be taken, and the other left.
And they answered and said to him, Where Lord? And he said to them, Wherever the body {is} , thither will the eagles be collected.
And he spoke a parable to them {to this end} , that men ought always {to} pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, neither regarded man.
And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And will not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night to him, though he beareth long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
And he spoke this parable to certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men {are} , extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as {his} eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified {rather} than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
And they brought to him also infants, that he would touch them: but when {his} disciples saw {it} , they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them {to him} , and said, Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter into it.
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? none {is} good, save one, {that is} God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother.
And he said, All these have I kept from my youth.
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said to him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly will they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
And they that heard {it} , said, Who then can be saved?
Then he said, The things which are impossible with men, are possible with God.
Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
And he said to them, Verily I say to you, there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God,
Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Then he took the twelve, and said to them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and spitefully treated, and spitted on;
And they will scourge {him} , and put him to death: and the third day he will rise again.
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
And it came to pass, that as he had come nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging;
And hearing the multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.
And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
And he cried, saying, Jesus, {thou} son of David, have mercy on me.
And they who went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, {Thou} son of David, have mercy on me.
And Jesus stood and commanded him to be brought to him: and when he had come near, he asked him,
Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do to thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
And Jesus said to him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw {it} , gave praise to God.
And {Jesus} entered and passed through Jericho.
And behold, {there was} a man named Zaccheus, who was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up upon a sycamore-tree to see him; for he was to pass that {way} .
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said to him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down: for to-day I must abide at thy house.
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
And when they saw {it} , they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
And Zaccheus stood, and said to the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore {him} four-fold.
And Jesus said to him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy till I come.
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this {man} to reign over us.
And it came to pass, that when he had returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
And he said to him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, {here is} thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what thou layedst not down, and reapest what thou didst not sow.
And he saith to him, Out of thy own mouth will I judge thee, {thou} wicked servant. Thou knewest me to be an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow:
Why then gavest thou not my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required my own with interest?
And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give {it} to him that hath ten pounds.
(And they said to him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
For I say to you, That to every one who hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even what he hath shall be taken away from him.
But those my enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay {them} before me.
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending towards Jerusalem.
And it came to pass, when he had come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called {the mount} of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
Saying, Go ye into the village over against {you} ; in which at your entering ye will find a colt tied, on which yet never man sat: loose him, and bring {him hither} .
And if any man shall ask you, Why do ye loose {him} ? thus shall ye say to him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
And they that were sent, went and found even as he had said to them.
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, Why loose ye the colt?
And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus upon him.
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
And when he had come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works that they had seen.
Saying, Blessed {be} the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said to him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said to them, I tell you, that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
And when he had come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things {which belong} to thy peace! but now they are hid from thy eyes.
For the days shall come upon thee, that thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and encompass thee, and keep thee in on every side,
And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee: and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another: because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold in it, and them that bought,
Saying to them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests, and the scribes, and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
And it came to pass, {that} on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon {him} , with the elders,
And spoke to him, saying, Tell us, By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
And he answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
But if we say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
And they answered, that they could not tell whence {it was} .
And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Then he began to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent {him} away empty.
And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and treated {him} shamefully, and sent {him} away empty.
And again he sent the third: and they wounded him also, and cast {him} out.
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be when they see him they will reverence him.
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed {him} . What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?
He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. And when they heard {it} , they said, may that never be.
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
Whoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
And they watched {him} , and sent forth spies, who should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person {of any} , but teachest the way of God truly:
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?
But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, Why tempt ye me?
Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cesar's.
And he said to them, Render therefore to Cesar the things which are Cesar's, and to God the things which are God's.
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace.
Then came to {him} certain of the Sadducees (who deny that there is any resurrection) and they asked him,
Saying, Master, Moses wrote to us, If any man's brother should die, having a wife, and he should die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
There were therefore seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
And the second took her for a wife, and he died childless.
And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: And they left no children, and died.
Last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
And Jesus answering, said to them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
But they who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.
Then certain of the scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said.
And after that, they durst not ask him any question at all.
And he said to them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Till I make thy enemies thy footstool.
David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Then in the audience of all the people, he said to his disciples,
Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
Who devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
And he looked up, and saw rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And he saw also a certain poor widow, casting in thither two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.
For all these have of their abundance cast in to the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
And as some spoke of the temple, that it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said,
{As for} these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when will these things be? and what sign {will there be} when these things shall come to pass?
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many will come in my name, saying, I am {Christ} ; and the time draweth near: therefore go ye not after them.
But when ye shall hear of wars, and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass: but the end {is} not immediately.
Then said he to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
And great earthquakes will be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences: and fearful sights, and great signs will there be from heaven.
But before all these they will lay their hands on you, and persecute {you} , delivering {you} up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Settle {it} therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer.
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
And ye will be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsmen, and friends; and {some} of you will they cause to be put to death.
And ye will be hated by all {men} for my name's sake.
But there shall not a hair of your head perish.
In your patience possess ye your souls.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that its desolation is nigh.
Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them who are in the midst of it depart {from it} ; and let not them that are in the countries enter into it.
For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that nurse infants in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for apprehension of those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: for your redemption draweth nigh.
And he spoke to them a parable; Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees;
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your ownselves that summer is now nigh at hand.
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Verily I say to you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my word shall not pass away.
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and {so} that day come upon you unawares.
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
And in the day-time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called {the mount} of Olives.
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him: for they feared the people.
Then Satan entered into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
And he went, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him to them.
And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude.
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare for us the passover, that we may eat.
And they said to him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
And he said to them, Behold, when ye have entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth.
And ye shall say to the master of the house, The Master saith to thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I may eat the passover with my disciples?
And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
And they went and found as he had said to them: and they made ready the passover.
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.
For I say to you, I will not any more eat of it until it shall be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide {it} among yourselves.
For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke {it} , and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup {is} the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me {is} with me on the table.
And truly the Son of man goeth as it was determined: but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!
And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them, are called benefactors.
But ye {shall} not {be} so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For which {is} greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? {is} not he that sitteth at table? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Ye are they who have continued with me in my temptations.
And I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed to me;
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired {to have} you, that he may sift {you} as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison, and to death.
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, before thou wilt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
And he said to them, When I sent you without purse, and sack, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Then said he to them, But now he that hath a purse, let him take {it} , and likewise {his} sack: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
For I say to you, that this which is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
And they said, Lord, behold, here {are} two swords. And he said to them, It is enough.
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
And when he was at the place, he said to them, Pray, that ye enter not into temptation.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.
Saying, Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground.
And when he arose from prayer, and had come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow:
And said to them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him.
But Jesus said to him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
When they who were about him, saw what would follow, they said to him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to him, Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staffs?
When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Then they took him, and led {him} , and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed at a distance.
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
And about the space of one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying, In truth this {man} also was with him; for he is a Galilean.
And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, the cock crowed.
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
And the men that held Jesus, mocked him, and smote {him} .
And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
And many other things blasphemously they spoke against him.
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests, and the scribes came together, and led him into their council,
Saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe.
And if I also ask {you} , ye will not answer me, nor let {me} go.
Hereafter will the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said to them, Ye say that I am.
And they said, What need have we of any further testimony? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.
And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him to Pilate.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this {man} perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a king.
And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest {it} .
Then said Pilate to the chief priests, and {to} the people, I find no fault in this man.
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
And as soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem at that time.
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he had been for a long time, desirous to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
And Herod with his troops set him at naught, and mocked {him} , and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves.
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people,
Said to them, Ye have brought this man to me, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I, having examined {him} before you, have found no fault in this man, touching those things of which ye accuse him;
No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and lo, nothing worthy of death is done to him:
I will therefore chastise him, and release {him} .
(For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)
And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this {man} , and release to us Barabbas:
(Who, for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them.
But they cried, saying, Crucify, crucify him.
And he said to them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him; I will therefore chastise him, and let {him} go.
And they were urgent with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified: and the voices of them, and of the chief priests prevailed.
And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
And he released to them him that for sedition and murder had been cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear {it} after Jesus.
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, who also bewailed and lamented him.
But Jesus turning to them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed {are} the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never nourished infants.
Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
For if they do these things in a green tree, what will be done in the dry?
And two others, {who were} malefactors, were led with him to be put to death.
And when they had come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors; one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided {him} , saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he is Christ the chosen of God.
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
And saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself.
And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And one of the malefactors, who were hanged, railed on him, saying, If thou art Christ, save thyself and us.
But the other answering, rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
And the sun was darkened, and the vail of the temple was rent in the midst.
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he expired.
Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off beholding these things.
And behold, {there was} a man named Joseph, a counselor: {and he was} a good man, and a just:
(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them) {he was} of Arimathea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
This {man} went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, in which man was never before laid.
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
And the women also, who came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested on the sabbath, according to the commandment.
Now upon the first {day} of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain {others} with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed at this, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
And as they were afraid, and bowed down {their} faces to the earth, they said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words,
And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary {the mother} of James, and other {women that were} with them, who told these things to the apostles.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Then Peter arose, and ran to the sepulcher, and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which had come to pass.
And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem {about} sixty furlongs.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that, while they communed {together} , and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
But their eyes were held, that they should not know him.
And he said to them, What manner of communications {are} these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering, said to him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which have come to pass there in these days?
And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God, and all the people:
And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
But we trusted that it had been he who would have redeemed Israel: and besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done.
Yes, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, who were early at the sepulcher.
And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
And certain of them who were with us, went to the sepulcher, and found {it} even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Ought not Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?
And beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
And they drew nigh to the village whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further.
But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
And it came to pass, as he sat at table with them, he took bread, and blessed {it} , and broke, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight.
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
And they rose the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven assembled, and them that were with them,
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
And they told what things {were done} in the way, and how he was known to them in breaking of bread.
And as they were thus speaking, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith to them, Peace {be} to you.
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
And he said to them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
And when he had thus spoken, he showed them {his} hands and {his} feet.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have ye here any thing for food?
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honey-comb.
And he took {it} , and ate before them.
And he said to them, These {are} the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and {in} the prophets, and {in} the psalms, concerning me.
Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things.
And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye are endued with power from on high.
And he led them out as far as to Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name {was} John.
The same came for a witness, to bear testimony of the Light, that all {men} through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but {was sent} to bear testimony of that Light.
{That} was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came to his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, {even} to them that believe on his name:
Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John testified concerning him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me, is preferred before me; for he was before me.
And of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.
For the law was given by Moses, {but} grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared {him} .
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou?
And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? and he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Then said they to him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
He said, I {am} the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.
And they who were sent were of the Pharisees.
And they asked him, and said to him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou art not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet?
John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoes' latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.
This is he of whom I said, after me cometh a man who is preferred before me; for he was before me.
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
And John bore testimony, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.
And I saw and bore testimony, that this is the Son of God.
Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples;
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith to them, What seek ye? They said to him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou?
He saith to them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
One of the two who heard John {speak} , and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith to him, We have found the Messiah; which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas; which is, by interpretation, a stone.
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith to him, follow me.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith to him, We have found him described by Moses in the law, and by the prophets, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
And Nathanael said to him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith to him, Come and see.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Nathanael saith to him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, dost thou believe? thou shalt see greater things than these.
And he saith to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith to him, They have no wine.
Jesus saith to her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? my hour is not yet come.
His mother saith to the servants, Whatever he saith to you, do {it} .
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Jesus saith to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them to the brim.
And he saith to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore {it} .
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was; (but the servants who drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
And saith to him, Every man at the beginning presenteth good wine; and when men have well drank, then that which is worse: {but} thou hast kept the good wine until now.
This beginning of miracles Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples; and they continued there not many days.
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
And found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, sitting:
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
And said to them that sold doves, Take these things hence: make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up.
Then answered the Jews, and said to him, What sign showest thou to us, seeing that thou doest these things?
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
But he spoke of the temple of his body.
When therefore he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them: and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had spoken.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast {day} , many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he performed.
But Jesus did not commit himself to them, because he knew all {men} .
And needed not that any should testify concerning man: for he knew what was in man.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born of water, and {of} the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
Marvel not that I said to thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the sound of it, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; and ye receive not our testimony.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
And no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, {even} the Son of man who is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him may be saved.
He that believeth on him, is not condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
And John also was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
For John was not yet cast into prison.
Then there arose a question between {some} of John's disciples and the Jews, about purifying.
And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou didst bear testimony, behold, the same baptizeth, and all {men} come to him.
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Ye yourselves bear me testimony, that I said I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly, because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
He must increase, but I {must} decrease.
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true.
For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for {to him} God giveth not the Spirit by measure.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
And he must needs go through Samaria.
Then he cometh to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground, that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied with {his} journey, sat thus on the well: {and} it was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith to her, Give me to drink.
(For his disciples had gone to the city to buy provisions.)
Then saith the woman of Samaria to him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus answered and said to her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith to him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said to her, Whoever drinketh of this water, shall thirst again:
But whoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The woman saith to him, Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, neither come hither to draw.
Jesus saith to her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
For thou hast had five husbands, and he whom thou now hast, is not thy husband: in that thou hast spoken truth.
The woman saith to him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith to her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God {is} a Spirit: and they that worship him, must worship {him} in spirit and in truth.
The woman saith to him, I know that Messiah cometh, who is called Christ; when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith to her, I that speak to thee am {he} .
And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
The woman then left her waterpot, and went into the city, and saith to the men,
Come, see a man who hath told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Then they went out of the city, and came to him.
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
But he said to them, I have food to eat that ye know not of.
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him {aught} to eat?
Jesus saith to them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and {then} cometh harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit to life eternal: that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, may rejoice together.
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
I sent you to reap that on which ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye have entered into their labors.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, who testified, He told me all that ever I did.
So when the Samaritans had come to him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
And many more believed, because of his own word;
And said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard {him} ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.
Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.
Then when he had come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went to the feast.
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
Then said Jesus to him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
The nobleman saith to him, Sir, come down ere my child dieth.
Jesus saith to him, Go; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and he departed.
And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told {him} , saying, Thy son liveth.
Then he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend: and they said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
So the father knew that {it was} at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth: and he himself believed, and his whole house.
This {is} again the second miracle {that} Jesus performed, when he had come from Judea into Galilee.
After this there was a feast of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep {market} a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue, Bethesda, having five porches.
In these lay a great multitude of impotent persons, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and agitated the water: whoever then first after the stirring of the water stepped in, was cured of whatever disease he had.
And a certain man was there, who had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time {in that case} , he saith to him, Wilt thou be healed?
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is agitated, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
Jesus saith to him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
And immediately the man was healed, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
The Jews therefore said to him that was cured, it is the sabbath; it is not lawful for thee to carry {thy} bed.
He answered them, He that healed me, the same said to me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
Then they asked him, What man is that who said to thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
And he that was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in {that} place.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, thou art cured: sin no more, lest a worse thing come to thee.
The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath.
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Then answered Jesus, and said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, The Son can do nothing by himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for whatever things he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
For as the Father raiseth the dead, and reviveth {them} ; even so the Son reviveth whom he will.
For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment to the Son:
That all {men} should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father who hath sent him.
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but hath passed from death to life.
Verily, verily, I say to you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation.
I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who hath sent me.
If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true.
There is another that testifieth concerning me, and I know that the testimony which he beareth concerning me is true.
Ye sent to John, and he testified to the truth.
But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye may be saved.
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
But I have greater testimony than {that} of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear testimony concerning me, that the Father hath sent me.
And the Father himself who hath sent me, hath borne testimony concerning me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
And ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.
I receive not honor from men.
But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
How can ye believe, who receive honor one from another, and seek not the honor that {cometh} from God only?
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is {one} that accuseth you, {even} Moses, in whom ye trust.
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote concerning me.
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is {the sea} of Tiberias.
And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he performed on them that were diseased.
And Jesus went upon a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
When Jesus then lifted up {his} eyes, and saw a great company come to him, he saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?
(And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.)
Philip answered him, Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them make take a little:
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith to him,
There is a lad here, who hath five barley-loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. (Now there was much grass in the place.) So the men sat down in number about five thousand.
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.
When they were satisfied, he said to his disciples, Gather the fragments that remain, that nothing may be lost.
Therefore they gathered {them} , and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus performed, said, This is truly that prophet that should come into the world.
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again to a mountain himself alone.
And when evening had {now} come, his disciples went down to the sea,
And entered into a boat, and went over the sea towards Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh to the boat: and they were afraid.
But he saith to them, It is I; be not afraid.
Then they willingly received him into the boat: and immediately the boat was at the land whither they were going.
The day following, when the people who stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, save that one into which his disciples had entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but {that} his disciples had gone away alone;
(Yet there came other boats from Tiberias nigh to the place where they ate bread, after the Lord had given thanks:)
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were satisfied.
Labor not for the food which perisheth, but for that food which endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of man will give to you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Then said they to him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
They said therefore to him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world.
Then said they to him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.
But I said to you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise reject.
For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
And this is the Father's will who hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves.
No man can come to me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught from God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned from the Father, cometh to me.
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he who is from God, he hath seen the Father.
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I am that bread of life.
Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat of it, and not die.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man shall eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore contended among themselves, saying, How can this man give us {his} flesh to eat?
Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Whoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers ate manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
These things he said in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard {this} , said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said to them, Doth this offend you?
{What} if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
It is the spirit that reviveth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak to you, {they} are spirit, and {they} are life.
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who he was that would betray him.
And he said, Therefore I said to you, that no man can come to me, except it were given to him by my Father.
From that {time} many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Then said Jesus to the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
And we believe, and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
He spoke of Judas Iscariot {the son} of Simon: for it was he that was to betray him, being one of the twelve.
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
His brethren therefore said to him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
For {there is} no man {that} doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, show thyself to the world.
(For neither did his brethren believe in him.)
Then Jesus said to them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready.
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify concerning it, that its works are evil.
Go ye up to this feast: I go not yet to this feast, for my time is not yet full come.
When he had said these words to them, he abode {still} in Galilee.
But when his brethren had gone up, then he went also to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, No; but he deceiveth the people.
Yet, no man spoke openly of him, for fear of the Jews.
Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
If any man will do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or {whether} I speak from myself.
He that speaketh from himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Did not Moses give you the law, and {yet} none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
The people answered and said, Thou hast a demon: who goeth about to kill thee?
Jesus answered and said to them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
Moses therefore gave to you circumcision, (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers) and ye on the sabbath circumcise a man.
If a man on the sabbath receiveth circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have restored a man to sound health on the sabbath?
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?
But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing to him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
But we know this man, whence he is: whereas when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
Then cried Jesus in the temple, as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
But I know him; for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this {man} hath done?
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him: and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
Then said Jesus to them, Yet a little while am I with you, and {then} I go to him that sent me.
Ye will seek me, and will not find {me} : and where I am, {thither} ye cannot come.
Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
What {manner of} saying is this that he said, Ye will seek me, and will not find {me} : and where I am, {thither} ye cannot come?
In the last day, that great {day} of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirsteth, let him come to me, and drink.
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(But this he spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet {given} , because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, In truth this is the Prophet.
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Will Christ come out of Galilee?
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh from the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
So there was a division among the people because of him.
And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why have ye not brought him?
The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.
Then the Pharisees answered them, Are ye also deceived?
Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him?
But this people who know not the law are cursed.
Nicodemus saith to them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them)
Doth our law judge {any} man before it heareth him, and knoweth what he doeth?
They answered and said to him, Art thou also from Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
And every man went to his own house.
Jesus went to the mount of Olives:
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down and taught them.
And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery: and when they had set her in the midst,
They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with {his} finger wrote on the ground, {as though he heard them not} .
So when they continued asking him, he raised himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they who heard {it} , being convicted by {their own} conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, {even} to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had raised himself, and saw none but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those thy accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Pharisees therefore said to him, Thou testifiest concerning thyself; thy testimony is not true.
Jesus answered and said to them, Though I testify concerning myself, {yet} my testimony is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man.
And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
I am one that testifieth concerning myself; and the Father that sent me, testifieth concerning me.
Then said they to him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also.
These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him, for his hour was not yet come.
Then said Jesus again to them, I am going away, and ye will seek me, and will die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
Then said the Jews, will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
And he said to them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
I said therefore to you, that ye will die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am {he} , ye will die in your sins.
Then said they to him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith to them, Even {the same} that I said to you from the beginning.
I have many things to say, and to judge of you: but he that sent me, is true: and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him.
They understood not that he spoke to them concerning the Father.
Then said Jesus to them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am {he} , and {that} I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
As he spoke these words, many believed on him.
Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We are Abraham's offspring, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Whoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin.
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever, {but} the Son abideth for ever.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
I know that ye are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith to them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God: this did not Abraham.
Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, {even} God.
Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Why do ye not understand my speech? {even} because ye cannot hear my word.
Ye are of {your} father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
And because I tell {you} the truth, ye believe me not.
Which of you convicteth me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do ye not believe me?
He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore hear {them} not, because ye are not of God.
Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.
And I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
Verily, verily, I say to you, If a man shall keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man shall keep my saying, he shall never taste death.
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoreth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I should be a liar like you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw {it} , and was glad.
Then said the Jews to him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Then they took up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
And as {Jesus} passed by, he saw a man who was blind from {his} birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spit on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbors therefore, and they who before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Some said, This is he: others {said} , He is like him: {but} he said, I am {he} .
Therefore they said to him, How were thy eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus, made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Then said they to him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
They brought to the Pharisees him that before was blind.
And it was the sabbath when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them, He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
They say to the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thy eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
But the Jews did not believe concerning him that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he will speak for himself.
These {words} his parents spoke, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man confessed that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Then again they called the man that was blind, and said to him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
He answered and said, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.
Then they said to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thy eyes?
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: Why would ye hear {it} again? will ye also be his disciples?
Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are the disciples of Moses.
We know that God spoke to Moses: {as for} this {man} , we know not whence he is.
The man answered and said to them, Why, herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and {yet} he hath opened my eyes.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man is a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Since the world began hath it not been heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.
They answered and said to him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? and they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out: and when he had found him, he said to him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?
And Jesus said to him, thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him.
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they who see not, may see; and that they who see, may be made blind.
And {some} of the Pharisees who were with him heard these words, and said to him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said to them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spoke Jesus to them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke to them.
Then said Jesus to them again, Verily, verily, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door: by me if any man shall enter he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have {it} more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my {sheep} , and am known by mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, {and} one shepherd.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received from my Father.
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is insane; why hear ye him?
Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
Then came the Jews around him, and said to him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I did in my Father's name, they testify concerning me.
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said to you.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, who gave {them to} me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck {them} out of my Father's hand.
I and {my} Father are one.
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe that the Father {is} in me, and I in him.
Therefore they sought again to take him; but he escaped from their hand,
And went again beyond Jordan, into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
And many resorted to him, and said, John performed no miracle; but all things that John spoke of this man were true.
And many believed on him there.
Now a certain {man} was sick, {named} Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
(It was {that} Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
When Jesus heard {that} , he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it.
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
When therefore he had heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
Then after that he saith to {his} disciples, Let us ho into Judea again.
{His} disciples say to him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walketh in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
But if a man walketh in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
These things he said: and after that he saith to them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleepeth he will do well.
Now Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking rest in sleep.
Then said Jesus to them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless, let us go to him.
Then said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
(Now Bethany was nigh to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs distant.)
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat in the house.
Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
But I know that even now, whatever thou wilt ask of God, God will give {it} thee.
Jesus saith to her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?
She saith to him, Yes, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.
And when she had so said, she went and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
As soon as she heard {that} , she arose quickly, and came to him.
Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
The Jews then who were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose hastily, and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth to the grave to weep there.
Then when Mary had come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled;
And said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see.
Jesus wept.
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
And some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time his body is offensive: for he hath been {dead} four days.
Jesus saith to her, Said I not to thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Then they took away the stone {from the place} where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up {his} eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me:
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people who stand by, I said {it} , that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, Loose him, and let him go.
Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
But some of them went to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and said, What do we? for this man performeth many miracles.
If we let him thus alone, all {men} will believe on him: and the Romans will come, and take away both our place and nation.
And one of them, {named} Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, Ye know nothing at all,
Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
And this he spoke not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
And not for that nation only, but that also he should assemble in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Then from that day forth they took counsel together to put him to death.
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence to a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
Then they sought for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show {it} , that they might take him.
Then Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's {son} , who was to betray him,
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bore what was put in it.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burial hath she kept this.
For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.
Many people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
On the next day, many people that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
Took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna; Blessed {is} the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
These things his disciples understood not at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written concerning him, and {that} they had done these things to him.
The people therefore that were with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bore testimony.
For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
And there were certain Greeks among them, that came to worship at the feast.
The same came therefore to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again, Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it to life eternal.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will {my} Father honor.
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause I came to this hour.
Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, {saying} , I have both glorified {it} , and will glorify {it} again.
The people therefore that stood by, and heard {it} , said that it thundered. Others said, An angel spoke to him.
Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
And I, if I shall be lifted up from the earth, will draw all {men} to me.
(This he said, signifying what death he should die.)
The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and concealed himself from them.
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with {their} eyes, nor understand with {their} heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess {him} , lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Jesus cried, and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me:
And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me:
I am come a light into the world, that whoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
For I have not spoken from myself; but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said to me, so I speak.
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
And supper being ended (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's {son} , to betray him;)
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was going to God;
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
After that, he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe {them} with the towel with which he was girded.
Then he cometh to Simon Peter: and Peter saith to him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Jesus answered and said to him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter saith to him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Simon Peter saith to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also {my} hands and {my} head.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash {his} feet, but is wholly clean: and ye are clean, but not all.
For he knew who would betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said to them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Ye call me Master, and Lord: and ye say well; for {so} I am.
If I then, {your} Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Now I tell you before it cometh, that when it hath come to pass, ye may believe that I am {he} .
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, that one of you will betray me.
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke.
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom, one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, to ask who it should be of whom he spoke.
He then lying on Jesus' breast, saith to him, Lord, who is it?
Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped {it} . And when he had dipped the sop, he gave {it} to Judas Iscariot, {the son} of Simon.
And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus to him, What thou doest, do quickly.
Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spoke this to him.
For some {of them} thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said to him, Buy {those things} that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
He then having received the sop, went immediately out: and it was night.
Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will immediately glorify him.
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye will seek me: and, as I said to the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
A new commandment I give to you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all {men} know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Simon Peter said to him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterward.
Peter said to him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say to thee, The cock will not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if {it were} not {so} , I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, {there} ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith to him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.
If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? he that hath seen me, hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou {then} , Show us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak to you, I speak not from myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I {am} in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Verily, verily, I say to you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater {works} than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.
And whatever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do {it} .
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
{Even} the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and will be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
At that day ye shall know that I {am} in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me, shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Judas, not Iscariot, saith to him, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?
Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loveth me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but that of the Father who sent me.
These things have I spoken to you, being {yet} present with you.
But the Comforter, {who is} the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world giveth, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Ye have heard that I said to you, I go away, and come {again} to you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you before it cometh to pass, that when it hath come to pass, ye may believe.
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every {branch} that beareth fruit, he cleaneth it, that it my bring forth more fruit.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye {are} the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abideth not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, and cast {them} into the fire, and they are burned.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye may ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you.
In this is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and {that} your joy may be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and {that} your fruit should remain: that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
If the world hateth you, ye know that it hated me before {it hated} you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
He that hateth me, hateth my Father also.
If I had not done among them the works which no other man hath done, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen, and hated both me and my Father.
But {this cometh to pass} , that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, {even} the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he will testify concerning me.
And ye also shall bear testimony, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
These things have I spoken to you, that ye should not be offended.
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time cometh, that whoever killeth you, will think that he doeth God service.
And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
But now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I depart; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now.
But, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he shall hear, {that} will he speak: and he will show you things to come.
He will glorify me: for he will receive of mine, and will show {it} to you.
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore I said, that he will take of mine, and show {it} to you.
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
Then said {some} of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith to us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said to them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that which I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
Verily, verily, I say to you, that ye will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice: and ye will be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
And in that day ye will ask me nothing: Verily, verily, I say to you, Whatever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give {it} you.
Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly concerning the Father.
At that day ye will ask in my name: and I say not to you, that I will pray the Father for you:
For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
His disciples said to him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest from God.
Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
Behold, the hour cometh, and is even now come, that ye shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye will have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.
These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thy ownself, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest to me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word.
Now they have known that all things whatever thou hast given me are from thee.
For I have given to them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received {them} , and have known surely that I came from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou hast given to me; for they are thine.
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thy own name those whom thou hast given to me, that they may be one, as we {are} .
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest to me I have kept, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
And now I come to thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
I have given to them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.
Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also who shall believe on me through their word.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, {art} in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest to me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.
Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given to me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given to me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
And I have declared to them thy name, and will declare {it} : that the love with which thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in them.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples.
And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often resorted thither with his disciples.
Judas then, having received a band {of men} and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons.
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth, and said to them, Whom seek ye?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them, I am {he} . And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them.
As soon then as he had said to them, I am {he} , they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Then he asked them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus answered, I have told you that I am {he} : If therefore ye seek me, let these go away:
That the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke, Of them whom thou gavest to me, I have lost none.
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Then the band, and the captain, and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
And led him away to Annas first, (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year.)
Now Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and {so did} another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple who was known to the high priest, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Then saith the damsel that kept the door to Peter, Art not thou also {one} of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.
And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; (for it was cold) and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
The high priest then asked Jesus concerning his disciples, and concerning his doctrine.
Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
Why dost thou ask me? ask them who heard me, what I have said to them: behold, they know what I have said.
And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers who stood by, struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear testimony of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
(Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.)
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore to him, Art not thou also {one} of his disciples? He denied {it} , and said, I am not.
One of the servants of the high priest (being the kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off) saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter then denied again, and immediately the cock crowed.
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment-hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
Pilate then went out to them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
They answered and said to him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee.
Then said Pilate to them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die.
Then Pilate entered into the judgment-hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing from thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me?
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thy own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee to me: What hast thou done?
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Pilate therefore said to him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Pilate saith to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them, I find in him no fault.
But ye have a custom that I should release to you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release to you the King of the Jews?
Then they all cried again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged {him} .
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put {it} on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith to them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
Then Jesus came forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And {Pilate} saith to them, Behold the man!
When therefore the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify {him} , crucify {him} . Pilate saith to them, Take ye him, and crucify {him} : for I find no fault in him.
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
And went again into the judgment-hall, and saith to Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
Then saith Pilate to him, Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not, that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
Jesus answered, Thou couldst have no power against me; except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me to thee hath the greater sin.
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar's friend. Whoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cesar.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down on the judgment-seat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith to the Jews, Behold your King!
But they cried out, Away with {him} , away with {him} , crucify him. Pilate saith to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cesar.
Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led {him} away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called {the place} of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha:
Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on each side one, and Jesus in the midst.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put {it} on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Many of the Jews then read this title: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, {and} Latin.
Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also {his} coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the {wife} of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her to his own {home} .
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put {it} upon hyssop, and put {it} to his mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and expired.
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath, (for that sabbath was a great day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and {that} they might be taken away.
Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him.
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs:
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came out blood and water.
And he that saw {it} , testified, and his testimony is true: and he knoweth that he speaketh truth, that ye may believe.
For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
And after this, Joseph of Arimathea (being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave {him} leave. He came therefore and took the body of Jesus.
And there came also Nicodemus (who at the first came to Jesus by night) and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound {weight} .
Then they took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, in which was never man yet laid.
There they laid Jesus therefore, because of the Jews' preparation -{day} , for the sepulcher was nigh at hand.
The first {day} of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher.
So they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the sepulcher.
And he stooping down, saw the linen cloths lying; yet he went not in.
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen cloths lying;
And the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple who came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed.
For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again to their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept she stooped down {to look} into the sepulcher,
And seeth two angels in white, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say to her, Woman, why weepest thou? she saith to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself about, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith to her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith to him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith to her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.
Jesus saith to her, Touch me not: for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and {to} my God and your God.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and {that} he had spoken these things to her.
Then the same day at evening, being the first {day} of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith to them, Peace {be} to you.
And when he had so said, he showed to them {his} hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace {be} to you: as {my} Father hath sent me, even so I send you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on {them} , and saith to them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit.
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; {and} whose soever {sins} ye retain, they are retained.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: {then} came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace {be} to you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust {it} into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith to him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed {are} they that have not seen, and {yet} have believed.
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.
But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life through his name.
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias: and in this manner did he show {himself} .
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the {sons} of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter saith to them, I go a fishing. They say to him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a boat immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus saith to them, Children, have ye any victuals? They answered him, No.
And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith to Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt {on} his fisher's coat, (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea.
And the other disciples came in a little boat (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes.
As soon then as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid upon them, and bread.
Jesus saith to them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and notwithstanding there were so many, yet the net was not broken.
Jesus saith to them, Come {and} dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yes, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yes, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep.
He saith to him the third time, Simon {son} of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself and walk whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry {thee} whither thou wouldst not.
This he spoke, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith to him, Follow me.
Then Peter turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following; (who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee?)
Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what {shall} this man {do} ?
Jesus saith to him, If I will that he shall tarry till I come, what {is that} to thee? Follow thou me.
Then this saying went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not to him, He shall not die; but, if I will that he shall tarry till I come, what {is that} to thee?
This is the disciple who testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
And being assembled with {them} , commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, {saith he} , ye have heard from me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses to me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up to heaven? this same Jesus who is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Then they returned to Jerusalem, from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
And when they had come in, they went into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James {the son} of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas {the brother} of James.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said (the number of the names together were about a hundred and twenty,)
Men, brethren, This scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; so that that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell in it: and, His bishopric let another take.
Wherefore, of these men who accompanied us, all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all {men} , show which of these two thou hast chosen,
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them, cloven tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed, and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans?
And how do we hear every man in our own language, wherein we were born?
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians we hear them speak in our languages the wonderful works of God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking, said, These men are full of new wine.
But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them, Ye men of Judea, and all {ye} that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and hearken to my words:
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is {but} the third hour of the day.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel,
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on my servants, and on my hand-maidens I will, in those days, pour out of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.
And it shall come to pass, {that} whoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
For David speaketh concerning him, I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope:
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption:
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Men, brethren, let me freely speak to you concerning the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us to this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that from the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
He seeing this before, spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption.
This Jesus hath God raised up, of which we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he saith himself, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard {this} , they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, {even} as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this perverse generation.
Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized: and the same day there were added {to them} about three thousand souls.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all {men} , as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, {being} the ninth {hour} .
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple.
Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms.
And Peter fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed to them, expecting to receive something from them.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted {him} up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
And they knew that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.
And as the lame man who was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
And when Peter saw {it} , he answered to the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let {him} go.
But ye denied the Holy One, and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted to you,
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; of which we are witnesses.
And his name, through faith in his name, hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yes, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance ye did {it} , as {did} also your rulers.
But those things which God before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord,
And he will send Jesus Christ, who before was preached to you:
Whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began.
For Moses truly said to the fathers, A Prophet will the Lord your God raise up to you, of your brethren, like me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatever he shall say to you.
And it shall come to pass, {that} every soul who will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
And all the prophets also from Samuel, and those that follow, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
To you first, God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put {them} in custody to the next day: for it was now evening.
But many of them who heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were assembled at Jerusalem.
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name have ye done this?
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made sound.
Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, {even} by him doth this man stand here before you sound.
This is the stone which was set at naught by you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
And beholding the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
But when they had commanded them to withdraw from the council, they conferred among themselves,
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them {is} manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny {it} .
But that it may spread no further among the people, let us strictly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all {men} glorified God for that which was done.
For the man was above forty years old on whom this miracle of healing was performed.
And being dismissed, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou {art} God, who hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them;
Who, by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were assembled against the Lord, and against his Christ.
For in truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were assembled,
To do whatever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any {of them} that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And with great power the apostles gave testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that was in want: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
And laid {them} down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need.
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, {and} of the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold {it} , and brought the money, and laid {it} at the apostles' feet.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back {part} of the price, (his wife also being privy {to it} ) and brought a certain part, and laid {it} at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back {part} of the price of the land?
While it remained, was it not thy own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and expired. And great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried {him} out, and buried {him} .
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered to her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much.
Then Peter said to her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband {are} at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then she fell down immediately at his feet, and expired. And the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying {her} forth, buried {her} by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid {them} on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
There came also a multitude {out} of the cities around to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons, and them who were afflicted with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him; (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation,
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison-doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
And when they heard {that} , they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
Saying, The prison truly we found shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Now when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them to what this would grow.
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set {them} before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Saying, Did we not strictly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Then Peter and the {other} apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree:
Him hath God exalted with his right hand {to be} a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
And we are his witnesses of these things; and {so is} also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
When they heard {that} , they were cut {to the heart} , and took counsel to slay them.
Then stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little time.
And said to them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do concerning these men:
For before these days rose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught.
After this man rose Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all, {even} as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work is from men, it will come to naught:
But if it is from God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
And to him they assented: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten {them} , they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid {their} hands on them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called {the synagogue} of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.
Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and {against} God.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon {him} , and caught him, and brought {him} to the council,
And set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.
And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
And said to him, Depart from thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.
Then he came from the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran. And from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land in which ye now dwell.
And he gave him no inheritance in it, no not {so much as} to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when {as yet} he had no child.
And God spoke on this wise, That his offspring should sojourn in a foreign land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat {them} ill four hundred years.
And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that they shall come forth, and serve me in this place.
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so {Abraham} begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac {begat} Jacob, and Jacob {begat} the twelve patriarchs.
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
And delivered him from all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt, and all his house.
Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction; and our fathers found no sustenance.
But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
And at the second {time} Joseph was made known to his brethren: and Joseph's kindred was made known to Pharaoh.
Then Joseph sent, and called his father Jacob to {him} , and all his kindred, seventy five souls.
So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor {the father} of Sychem.
But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Till another king arose, who knew not Joseph.
The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and ill-treated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished in his father's house three months:
And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
And seeing one {of them} suffer wrong, he defended {him} , and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
For he supposed his brethren to understand that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
And the next day he showed himself to them as they were contending, and would have constrained them to be at peace again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren: why do ye wrong one to another?
But he that did his neighbor wrong, thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?
Then Moses fled at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
And when forty years had expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
When Moses saw {it} , he wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to behold {it} , the voice of the Lord came to him,
{Saying} , I {am} the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
This Moses, whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send {to be} a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
He brought them out, after he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, A prophet will the Lord your God raise up to you of your brethren, like me; him will ye hear.
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on the mount Sina, and {with} our fathers: who received the living oracles to give to us:
Whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust {him} from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
Saying to Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for {as for} this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices {during} forty years in the wilderness?
Yes, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your God Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking to Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
Which also our fathers, that came after, brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David;
Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
But Solomon built him a house.
Yet, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet,
Heaven {is} my throne, and earth {is} my footstool: What house will ye build for me? saith the Lord: or what {is} the place of my rest?
Hath not my hand made all these things?
Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers {did} , so {do} ye.
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them who showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers;
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept {it} .
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with {their} teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
And cast {him} out of the city, and stoned {him} : and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon {God} , and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul was consenting to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And devout men carried Stephen {to his burial} , and made great lamentation over him.
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committed {them} to prison.
Therefore they that were dispersed went every where preaching the word.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.
And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he performed.
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
And there was great joy in that city.
But there was a certain man called Simon, who before in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:
Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
(For as yet he had fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then they laid {their} hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and {in} the bond of iniquity.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.
And he arose, and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
Was returning; and sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet.
Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to {him} , and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up, and sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus.
And as they went on {their} way, they came to a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, {here is} water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
And desired from him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he should find any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. {It is} hard for thee to kick against the goads.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord {said} to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought {him} into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I {am here} , Lord.
And the Lord {said} to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for {one} called Saul of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth,
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in, and putting {his} hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
And here he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.
For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
And Ananias went, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord ({even} Jesus that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest) hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
But all that heard {him} were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.
But their laying in wait, was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
Then the disciples took him by night, and let {him} down by the wall in a basket.
And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
But Barnabas took him, and brought {him} to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
{Which} when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all {quarters} , he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.
And there he found a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick with the palsy.
And Peter said to him, Eneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom, when they had washed, they laid in an upper chamber.
And as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring {him} that he would not delay to come to them.
Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And he gave her {his} hand, and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And it was known throughout all Joppa: and many believed in the Lord.
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
There was a certain man in Cesarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian {band} ,
{A} devout {man} , and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him, Cornelius.
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God.
And now send men to Joppa, and call for {one} Simon, whose surname is Peter:
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he will tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
And when he had declared all {these} things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
On the morrow, as they were going on their journey, and drew nigh to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour:
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
In which were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping animals, and fowls of the air.
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
And the voice {spoke} to him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, {that} call not thou common.
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received again into heaven.
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and were standing before the gate,
And called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, lodged there.
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Arise therefore, and go down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what {is} the cause for which ye have come?
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.
Then he called them in, and lodged {them} . And on the morrow Peter went with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
And on the morrow they entered into Cesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped {him} .
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up: I myself also am a man.
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that had come together.
And he said to them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Therefore I came {to you} without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he lodgeth in the house of {one} Simon a tanner, by the sea-side: who, when he cometh, will speak to thee.
Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou hast come. Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee from God.
Then Peter opened {his} mouth, and said, In truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
The word which {God} sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
That word, {I say} , ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
That God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.
And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree.
Him God raised the third day, and showed him openly;
Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, {even} to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was ordained by God {to be} the Judge of the living and the dead.
To him give all the prophets testimony, that through his name whoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word.
And they of the circumcision who believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For they heard them speak in languages and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they requested him to tarry certain days.
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
And when Peter had come to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
But Peter rehearsed {the matter} from the beginning, and expounded {it} by order to them, saying,
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
Upon which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping animals, and fowls of the air.
And I heard a voice saying to me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, {that} call not thou common.
And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
And behold, immediately there were three men already come to the house where I was, sent from Cesarea to me.
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
Who shall tell thee words, by which thou and all thy house shall be saved.
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as {he did} to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God?
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life.
Now they who were dispersed upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but to the Jews only.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.
Then tidings of these things came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord.
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith: and many people were added to the Lord.
Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus, to seek Saul:
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cesar.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Now about that time, Herod the king stretched forth {his} hands to afflict certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread.
And when he had apprehended him, he put {him} in prison, and delivered {him} to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after the passover to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing by the church to God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon {him} , and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from {his} hands.
And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals; and so he did. And he saith to him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed him, and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, Now I know with certainty, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and {from} all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
And when he had considered {the thing} , he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were assembled, praying.
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate
And they said to her, Thou art insane. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then they said, It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened {the door} , and saw him, they were astonished.
But he beckoning to them with the hand to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go, show these things to James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that {they} should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and {there} abode.
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon. But they came with one accord to him, and having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace, because their country was nourished by the king's {country} .
And upon a set day, Herod arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration to them.
And the people gave a shout, {saying} , {It is} the voice of a god, and not of a man.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten by worms, and died.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled {their} ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate for me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid {their} hands on them, they sent {them} away.
So they being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had also John for {their} minister.
And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name {was} Barjesus:
Who was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Then Saul (who also {is called} Paul) filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him,
And said, O full of all subtilty, and all mischief, {thou} child of the devil, {thou} enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
And now behold, the hand of the Lord {is} upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath, and sat down.
And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, Men, brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with {his} hand, said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm he brought them out of it.
And about the time of forty years he suffered their manners in the wilderness.
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
And after that he gave {to them} judges, about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
And when he had removed him, he raised up to them David to be their king: to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the {son} of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall fulfill all my will.
Of this man's offspring hath God, according to {his} promise, raised up to Israel a Savior, Jesus:
John having first preached, before his coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not {he} . But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of {his} feet I am not worthy to loose.
Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the words of the prophets which are read every sabbath, they have fulfilled {them} in condemning {him} .
And though they found no cause of death {in him} , yet they desired Pilate that he should be put to death.
And when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning him, they took {him} down from the tree, and laid {him} in a sepulcher.
But God raised him from the dead:
And he was seen many days by them who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
And we declare to you the glad tidings, that the promise which was made to the fathers,
God hath fulfilled the same to us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
And as concerning that he raised him from the dead, {now} no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Wherefore he saith also in another {psalm} , Thou wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, and was laid to his fathers, and saw corruption:
But he whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Be it known to you therefore, men, brethren, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets;
Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye will in no wise believe, though a man declare it to you.
And when the Jews had gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
And the next sabbath came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were uttered by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul and Barnabas became bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you: but seeing ye reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
For so hath the Lord commanded us, {saying} , I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation to the ends of the earth.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their borders.
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews, and also of the Greeks, believed.
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil-affected against the brethren.
A long time therefore they abode speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers, to use {them} despitefully, and to stone them,
Being apprised of {it} , they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region in that vicinity.
And there they preached the gospel.
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.
The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Then the priest of Jupiter, who was before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
{Which} , when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard {of} , they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you, that ye should turn from these vanities to the living God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them.
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
And with these sayings they scarce restrained the people from doing sacrifice to them.
And there came thither {certain} Jews from Antioch, and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew {him} out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
But as the disciples stood around him, he rose, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and {to} Iconium, and to Antioch,
Confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
And when they had ordained for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been commended to the grace of God, for the work which they fulfilled.
And when they had come, and had assembled the church, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
And there they abode a long time with the disciples.
And certain men who came down from Judea, taught the brethren, {and said} , Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice, and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But there rose certain of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command {them} to keep the law of Moses.
And the apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose and said to them, Men, brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God made choice among us, that the Gentiles, by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving to them the Holy Spirit, even as {he did} to us:
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they.
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought by them among the Gentiles.
And after they held their peace, James answered, saying, Men, brethren, hearken to me.
Simeon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for his name.
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins of it; and I will set it up:
That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
But that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and {from} lewdness, and {from} things strangled, and {from} blood.
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; {namely} , Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
And they wrote {letters} by them after this manner; The apostles, and elders, and brethren, {send} greeting to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia.
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain who went out from us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, {Ye must} be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no {such} commandment:
It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul:
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will also tell {you} the same things by mouth.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
That ye abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from lewdness: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye will do well. Fare ye well.
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had convened the multitude, they delivered the epistle.
{Which} when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed {them} .
And after they had tarried {there} a time, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to the apostles.
Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide there still.
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
And some days after, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren, in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, {and see} how they do.
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed, separating one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus.
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman who was a Jewess, and believed, but his father {was} a Greek.
Who was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those quarters: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep that were ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia;
After they had come to Mysia, they essayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
And they, passing by Mysia, came down to Troas.
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering, that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next {day} to Neapolis;
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, {and} a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who resorted {thither} .
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard {us} : whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken by Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought {us} , saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide {there} : And she constrained us.
And it came to pass as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, met us, who brought her masters much gain by sooth-saying:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, who show to us the way of salvation.
And this she did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew {them} into the market-place to the rulers,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat {them} .
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast {them} into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas;
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed {their} stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, without delay.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
But Paul said to them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast {us} into prison; and now do they thrust us out privately? no verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
And the sergeants told these words to the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans.
And they came and besought them, and brought {them} out, and desired {them} to depart out of the city.
And they went out of the prison, and entered into {the house of} Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.
And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and on three sabbaths reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Opening and alledging, that it was needful that Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.
And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas: and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain vile fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down, have come hither also;
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying, That there is another king, {one} Jesus.
And they troubled the people, and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
And when they had taken security of Jason and of the other, they let them go.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who coming {thither} , went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women who were Greeks, and of men not a few.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul, to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still.
And they that conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? some others, He seemeth to be a setter-forth of strange gods: because he preached to them Jesus, and the resurrection.
And they took him, and brought him to Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine {is} , of which thou speakest?
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean.
(For all the Athenians and strangers who were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars-hill, and said, {Ye} men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I to you.
God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
And hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us:
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring.
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold, or silver, or stone graven by art and man's device.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by {that} man whom he hath ordained: {of which} he hath given assurance to all {men} , in that he hath raised him from the dead.
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again concerning this {matter} .
So Paul departed from among them.
But certain men adhered to him, and believed: among whom {was} Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
After these things, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and {he} came to them.
And because he was of the same occupation, he abode with them, and wrought (for by their occupation they were tent-makers)
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, and testified to the Jews, {that} Jesus {was} Christ.
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook {his} raiment, and said to them, Your blood {be} upon your own heads: I {am} clean: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles.
And he departed thence, and entered into the house of a certain man named Justus, {one} that worshiped God, whose house joined close to the synagogue.
And Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord with all his house: and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized.
Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
For I am with thee, and no man shall lay hands on thee, to hurt thee: for I have many people in this city.
And he continued {there} a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat,
Saying, This {man} persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
And when Paul was now about to open {his} mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong, or hainous crime, O {ye} Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
But if it is a question of words and names, and {of} your law, look ye {to it} : for I will be no judge of such {matters} .
And he drove them from the judgment-seat.
Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat {him} before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
And Paul {after this} tarried {there} yet a good while, and took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn {his} head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
When they desired {him} to tarry longer time with them, he consented not:
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return to you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
And when he had landed at Cesarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
And after he had spent some time {there} , he departed and went over {all} the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, {and} mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord: and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: Whom, when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him to {them} , and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he had come, helped them much who had believed through grace.
For he mightily convinced the Jews, {and that} publicly, showing by the scriptures, that Jesus was Christ.
And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper region, came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples,
He said to them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Spirit.
And he said to them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, That they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard {this} , they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid {his} hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in languages, and prophesied.
And all the men were about twelve.
And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
So that from his body were brought to the sick, handkerchiefs, or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them who had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
And there were seven sons of {one} Sceva a Jew, {and} chief of the priests, who did so.
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus: and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.
Many also of them who used curious arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all {men} ; and they counted the price of them, and found {it} fifty thousand {pieces} of silver.
So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia, and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
For a certain {man} named Demetrius, a silver-smith, who made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain to the artificers;
Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth:
Moreover, ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away many people, saying, that they are no gods which are made with hands.
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at naught; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshipeth.
And when they heard {these sayings} , they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great {is} Diana of the Ephesians.
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater.
And when Paul would have entered in to the people, the disciples suffered him not.
And certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring {him} that he would not adventure himself into the theater.
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not why they had come together.
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense to the people.
But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great {is} Diana of the Ephesians.
And when the town-clerk had appeased the people, he said, {Ye} men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the {image} which fell down from Jupiter?
Seeing then that these things cannot be contradicted, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
Wherefore, if Demetrius and the artificers who are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause by which we may give an account of this concourse.
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
And after the uproar had ceased, Paul called to {him} the disciples, and embraced {them} , and departed to go into Macedonia.
And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
And {there} abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus, and Trophimus.
These going before, tarried for us at Troas.
And we sailed away from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
And upon the first {day} of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued his speech until midnight.
And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were assembled.
And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, having fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing {him} , said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
When he had come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and discoursed a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
And we went before to a ship, and sailed to Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so he had appointed, intending himself to go on foot.
And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
And we sailed thence, and came the next {day} over against Chios; and the next {day} we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next {day} we came to Miletus.
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
And when they had come to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
{And} how I kept back nothing that was profitable {to you} , but have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
And now behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Save that the Holy Spirit testifieth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
And now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
Wherefore I call you to witness this day, that I {am} pure from the blood of all {men} .
For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also from your own selves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
And ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me.
I have shown you all things, that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
And they all wept bitterly, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
And it came to pass, that after we were separated from them, and had lanched, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the {day} following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara:
And finding a ship sailing over to Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
And when we had accomplished those days, we departed, and proceeded on our way; and they all conducted us with wives and children, till {we were} out of the city; and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
And when we had finished {our} course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
And the next {day} we that were of Paul's company departed, and came to Cesarea; and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was {one} of the seven; and abode with him.
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.
And as we tarried {there} many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
And when he had come to us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and will deliver {him} into the hands of the Gentiles.
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep, and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
And after those days we took up our furniture, and went up to Jerusalem.
There went with us also {certain} of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
And the {day} following Paul went in with us to James: and all the elders were present.
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
And when they heard {it} , they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
And they are informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying, That they ought not to circumcise {their} children, neither to walk after the customs.
What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Do therefore this that we say to thee: we have four men who have a vow on them;
Take them, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave {their} heads: and all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but {that} thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
As concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written {and} concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from {things} offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from lewdness.
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them, entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an offering should be offered for every one of them.
And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews who were from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
Crying out, Men of Israel, help. This is the man that teacheth all {men} every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further, hath brought Greeks also into the temple; and hath polluted this holy place.
(For they had seen before with him in the city, Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul and drew him out of the temple. And forthwith the doors were shut.
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating Paul.
Then the chief captain came near and took him, and commanded {him} to be bound with two chains: and inquired who he was, and what he had done.
And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne by the soldiers, for the violence of the people.
For the multitude of the people followed, crying, Away with him.
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Art not thou that Egyptian, who before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
But Paul said, I am a man {who am} a Jew of Tarsus, {a city} of Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee suffer me to speak to the people.
And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand to the people. And when there was made entire silence, he spoke to {them} in the Hebrew language, saying,
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense {which I make} now to you.
(And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
I am verily a man {who am} a Jew, born in Tarsus, {a city} in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, {and} taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, being zealous towards God, as ye all are this day.
And I persecuted this way even to death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
As also the high priest doth bear me testimony, and all the estate of the elders; from whom also I received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them who were there bound to Jerusalem, to be punished.
And it came to pass, that as I was passing on my journey, and had come nigh to Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light around me.
And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.
And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do.
And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews who dwelt {there} ,
Came to me, and stood, and said to me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldst know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldst hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness to all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
And it came to pass, that when I had come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
And saw him saying to me, Make haste, and depart quickly from Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
And he said to me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence to the Gentiles.
And they gave him audience to this word, and {then} lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a {man} from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
And as they cried out, and cast off {their} clothes, and threw dust into the air,
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know for what cause they cried so against him.
And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
When the centurion heard {that} , he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest; for this man is a Roman.
Then the chief captain came, and said to him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yes.
And the chief captain answered, With a great sum I obtained this freedom. And Paul said, But I was {free} born.
Then forthwith they departed from him who were about to examine him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty why he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him from {his} bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men, brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to strike him on the mouth.
Then said Paul to him, God shall smite thee, {thou} whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
And they that stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
Then said Paul, I knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
And there arose a great cry: and the scribes {that were} of the Pharisees' part arose, and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul would have been pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring {him} into the castle.
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear testimony also at Rome.
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
And they were more than forty who had made this conspiracy.
And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain, that he bring him down to you to-morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, before he shall come near, are ready to kill him.
And when the son of Paul's sister heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
Then Paul called one of the centurions to {him} , and said, Bring this young man to the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
So he took him, and brought {him} to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me to {him} , and prayed me to bring this young man to thee, who hath something to say to thee.
Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went {with him} aside privately, and asked {him} , What is that thou hast to tell me?
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldst bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat concerning him more perfectly.
But do not thou yield to them: for there are of them who lie in wait for him more than forty men, who have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now they are ready, looking for a promise from thee.
So the chief captain {then} let the young man depart, and charged {him} , {See thou} tell no man that thou hast shown these things to me.
And he called to {him} two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
And provide {for them} beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring {him} safe to Felix the governor.
And he wrote a letter after this manner:
Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, {sendeth} greeting.
This man was taken by the Jews, and would have been killed by them: then I came with a body of soldiers, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
And when I would have known the cause for which they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds.
And when it was told to me that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent forthwith to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also, to say before thee what {they had} against him. Farewell.
Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought {him} by night to Antipatris.
On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
And when the governor had read {the letter} , he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that {he was} of Cilicia,
I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers also have come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall.
And after five days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and {with} a certain orator {named} Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse {him} , saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by thy providence,
We accept {it} always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst of thy clemency hear us a few words.
For we have found this a pestilent man, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took {him} out of our hands,
Commanding his accusers to come to thee: by examining whom, thou thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him.
And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.
Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither exciting the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
And in this I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense towards God, and {towards} men.
Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Upon which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
Who ought to have been here before thee, and object if they had aught against me.
Or else let these same {here} say, if they have found any evil-doing in me, while I stood before the council,
Except it is for this one voice, that I cried, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of {that} way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let {him} have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come to him.
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, depart for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
He hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
But after two years Porcius Festus came as successor to Felix: and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Now when Festus had come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly {thither} .
Let them therefore, said he, who among you are able, go down with {me} , and accuse this man, if there is any wickedness in him.
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down to Cesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be brought.
And when he had come, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem stood around, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove;
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar have I committed any offense.
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things before me?
Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's tribunal, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
For if I am an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there is none of these things of which these accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Cesar.
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Cesar? to Cesar thou shalt go.
And after certain days, king Agrippa and Bernice came to Cesarea, to salute Festus.
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause to the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed {me} , desiring {to have} judgment against him.
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before he who is accused hath the accusers face to face, and hath license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Therefore, when they had come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth;
Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed:
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked {him} whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these matters.
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved to the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.
Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
And on the morrow, when Agrippa had come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and had entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought forth.
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and {also} here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not also to signify the crimes {laid} against him.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews:
Especially, {because I know} thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews,
Who knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify) that after the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
And now I stand, and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers:
To which {promise} our twelve tribes, assiduously serving {God} day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against {them} .
And I punished them often in every synagogue, and compelled {them} to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted {them} even to foreign cities.
Upon which as I went to Damascus, with authority and commission from the chief priests,
At mid-day, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, surpassing the brightness of the sun, shining around me, and them who journeyed with me.
And when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? {It is} hard for thee to kick against the goads.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of the things in which I will appear to thee;
Delivering thee from the people, and {from} the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, {and} to turn {them} from darkness to light, and {from} the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Upon which O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and {then} to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill {me} .
Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
That Christ should suffer, {and} that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.
And as he was thus speaking for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee insane.
But he said, I am not insane, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
And when he had thus spoken, the king rose, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
And when they had gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death, or of bonds.
Then said Agrippa to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Cesar.
And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to {one} named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we lanched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia, {one} Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
And the next {day} we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously treated Paul, and gave {him} liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.
And when we had lanched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Mira, {a city} of Lycia.
And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce had come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone:
And hardly passing it, came to a place which is called, The fair havens; nigh to which was the city {of} Lasea.
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished {them} .
And said to them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
Nevertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than the things which were spoken by Paul.
And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, {and there} to winter; {which is} a haven of Crete, and lieth towards the south-west and north-west.
And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained {their} purpose, loosing {thence} , they sailed close by Crete.
But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let {her} drive.
And running under a certain isle which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven.
And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next {day} they lightened the ship;
And the third {day} we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on {us} , all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it will be even as it was told to me.
But we must be cast upon a certain isle.
When the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen suspected that they drew near to some country:
And sounded, and found {it} twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found {it} fifteen fathoms.
Then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would cast anchors out of the foreship,
Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought {them} all to take food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried, and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Wherefore I pray you to take {some} food; for this is for your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you.
And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and when he had broken {it} , he began to eat.
Then they were all of good cheer, and they also took food.
And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy six souls.
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast the wheat into the sea.
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into which they purposed, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed {themselves} to the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted the mainsail to the wind, and made towards the shore.
And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained immovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from {their} purpose, and commanded that they who could swim, should cast {themselves} first {into the sea} , and get to land:
And the rest, some on boards, and some on {broken pieces} of the ship: And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to land.
And when they had escaped, then they knew that the isle was called Melita.
And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid {them} on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
And when the barbarians saw the animal hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
And he shook off the animal into the fire, and felt no harm.
Yet they looked when he would have swelled, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the isle, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick with a fever, and a bloody-flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
So when this was done, others also who had diseases in the isle, came, and were healed:
Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded {us} with such things as were necessary.
And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
And landing at Syracuse, we tarried {there} three days.
And from thence we made a circuit, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went towards Rome.
And from thence when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii-forum, and the Three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.
And it came to pass, that after three days, Paul called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them, Men, brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
Who when they had examined me, would have let {me} go, because there was no cause of death in me.
But when the Jews spoke against {it} , I was constrained to appeal to Cesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of.
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see {you} , and to speak with {you} : because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
And they said to him, We have neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, neither have any of the brethren that came shown or spoken any harm of thee.
But we desire to hear from thee, what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into {his} lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and {out of} the prophets, from morning till evening.
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive.
For the heart of this people is become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with {their} eyes, and hear with {their} ears, and understand with {their} heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called {to be} an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
(Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures)
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.
And declared {to be} the Son of God, with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name:
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called {to be} saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
Making request (if by any means now at length I may have a prosperous journey by the will of God) to come to you.
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
That is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that I have often purposed to come to you (but have been hitherto hindered) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For in this is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath shown {it} to them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, {even} his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that when they knew God, they glorified {him} not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools:
And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping animals.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up to vile affections. For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one towards another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in {their} knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventers of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death; not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest, doest the same things.
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, against them who commit such things.
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them who do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up to thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
To them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality; eternal life:
But to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath:
Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile;
For there is no respect of persons with God.
For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law,
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law to themselves.
Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing testimony, and {their} thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another)
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
And knowest {his} will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law,
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them who are in darkness,
An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, who hast the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the law:
Thou therefore who teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles, through you, as it is written.
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keepest the law; but if thou art a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Therefore, if the uncircumcision keepeth the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfilleth the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; neither {is that} circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
But he {is} a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision {is that} of the heart, in the spirit, {and} not in the letter; whose praise {is} not from men, but from God.
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit {is there} of circumcision?
Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.
For what if some did not believe? will their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
By no means: verily let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mayest be justified in thy sayings, and mayest overcome when thou art judged.
But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? {Is} God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man.)
By no means: for then how shall God judge the world?
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie to his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
And not {rather} (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
What then? are we better {than they} ? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat {is} an open sepulcher; 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 have they not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Now we know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law {is} the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being testified by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God, {which is} by faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:
Whom God hath set forth {to be} a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, {I say} , at this time his righteousness: that he may be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.
Where {is} boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? No; but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
{Is he} the God of the Jews only? {is he} not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Seeing {it is} one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Do we then make void the law through faith? By no means: but we establish the law.
What shall we then say that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath {whereof} to glory, but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
{Saying} , Blessed {are} they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed {is} the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
{Cometh} this blessedness then upon the circumcision {only} , or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which {he had yet} being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also;
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which {he had} being {yet} uncircumcised.
For the promise that he should be the heir of the world {was} not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
For if they who are of the law {are} heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of no effect.
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, {there is} no transgression.
Therefore {it is} of faith, that {it might be} by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all;
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations) before him whom he believed, {even} God, who reviveth the dead, and calleth those things which are not, as though they were.
Who against hope believed with hope, that he should become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb.
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
But for us also, to whom it will be imputed, if we believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Who was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only {so} , but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And not only {so} , but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
For until the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
But not as the offense, so also {is} the free gift. For if through the offense of one many are dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, {which is} by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded to many.
And not as {it was} by one that sinned, {so is} the gift. For the judgment {was} by one to condemnation, but the free gift {is} of many offenses to justification.
For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as by the offense of one, {judgment came} upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one {the free gift came} upon all men to justification of life.
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
That as sin hath reigned to death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
By no means: how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also {in the likeness} of {his} resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with {him} , that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Now if we are dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth to God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts of it.
Neither yield ye your members {as} instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members {as} instruments of righteousness to God:
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants in obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin; but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, to ({work} ) iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness, to ({work} ) holiness.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things of which ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things {is} death.
But now being made free from sin, and having become servants to God, ye have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.
For the wages of sin {is} death: but the gift of God {is} eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law) that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
For the woman who hath a husband, is bound by the law to {her} husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband is dead, she is loosed from the law of {her} husband.
So then, if while {her} husband liveth, she is married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband is dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, {even} to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit to God.
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit to death:
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead by which we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not {in} the oldness of the letter.
What shall we say then? {Is} the law sin? By no means. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin {was} dead.
For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
And the commandment which {was ordained} to life, I found {to be} to death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew {me} .
Wherefore the law {is} holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Was then that which is good made death to me? By no means. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent to the law that {it is} good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but {how} to perform that which is good, I find not.
For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that which I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God, after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
{There is} therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
For they that are according to the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh: but they that are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded {is} death; but to be spiritually minded {is} life and peace:
Because the carnal mind {is} enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.
And if Christ {is} in you, the body {is} dead because of sin; but the Spirit {is} life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised Christ from the dead will also revive your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
For if ye live according to the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself testifieth with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if we suffer with {him} , that we may be glorified together.
For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time {are} not worthy {to be compared} with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected {the same} in hope:
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until now:
And not only {they} , but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, {to wit} , the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: But hope that is seen, is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for what we see not, {then} with patience we wait for {it} .
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what {is} the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints, according to {the will of} God.
And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to {his} purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate {to be} conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God {is} for us, who {can be} against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who will lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? {It is} God that justifieth:
Who {is} he that condemneth? {It is} Christ that died, or rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? {shall} tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
But in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor hight, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me testimony in the Holy Spirit,
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Who are Israelites; to whom {pertain} the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service {of God} , and the promises;
Whose {are} the fathers, and from whom according to the flesh, Christ {came} , who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Not as though the word of God hath taken no effect. For they {are} not all Israel, who are {descendants} from Israel?
Neither because they are the seed of Abraham, {are they} all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That is, They who are the children of the flesh, these {are} not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
For this {is} the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
And not only {this} ; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, {even} by our father Isaac,
(For {the children} being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth)
It was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
What shall we say then? {Is there} unrighteousness with God? By no means.
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
So then, {it is} not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
For the scripture saith to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will {have mercy} , and whom he will he hardeneth.
Thou wilt say then to me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will?
No, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? shall the thing formed say to him that formed {it} , Why hast thou made me thus?
Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and another to dishonor?
{What} if God, willing to show {his} wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had before prepared for glory,
Even us whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.
As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them My people, who were not my people; and her Beloved, who was not beloved.
And it shall come to pass, {that} in the place where it was said to them, Ye {are} not my people; there shall they be called, The children of the living God.
Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
For he will finish the work, and cut {it} short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like Gomorrah.
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles who followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith:
But Israel, who followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Why? Because {they sought it} not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone;
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone, and rock of offense: and whoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved.
For I bear them testimony that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.
For Christ {is} the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is by the law, That the man who doeth these things shall live by them.
But the righteousness which is by faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down.)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring Christ again from the dead.)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, {even} in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.
For the scripture saith, whoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all, is rich to all that call upon him,
For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things?
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So then, faith {cometh} by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
But I say, Did not Israel know? First, Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by {them that are} no people, {and} by a foolish nation I will anger you.
But Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found by them that sought me not; I was made manifest to them that asked not for me.
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? By no means. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, {of} the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thy altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then {is it} no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) to this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense to them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? By no means: but {rather} through their fall salvation {is come} to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
Now if the fall of them {be} the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office:
If by any means I may incite to emulation {them who are} my flesh, and may save some of them.
For if the rejection of them {be} the reconciling of the world, what {shall} the receiving {of them be} , but life from the dead?
For if the first fruit {is} holy, the lump {is} also {holy} : and if the root {is} holy, so {are} the branches.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, art ingrafted among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boastest, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be ingrafted.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, {take heed} lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them who fell, severity; but towards thee, goodness, if thou shalt continue in {his} goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be ingrafted: for God is able to ingraft them again.
For if thou wast cut out of the olive-tree which is wild by nature, and wast ingrafted contrary to nature into a good olive-tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural {branches} , be grafted into their own olive-tree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that blindness in part hath happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles shall be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this {is} my covenant to them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, {they are} enemies for your sakes: but as concerning the election, {they are} beloved for the father's sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God {are} without repentance.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief;
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable {are} his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again?
For from him, and by him, and to him {are} all things: to whom {be} glory for ever. Amen.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, {which is} your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what {is} that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
For through the grace given to me, I say, to every man that is among you, not to think {of himself} more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, {being} many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, {let us prophesy} according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, {let us wait} on {our} ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching:
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, {let him do it} with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
{Let} love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
{Be} kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing earnest in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them who persecute you; bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
{Be} of the same mind one towards another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If {it is} possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but {rather} give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance {is} mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thy enemy hungereth, feed him; if he thirsteth, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God: the powers that are, are ordained by God.
Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power; do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to {execute} wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore {ye} must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For, for this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute {is due} ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if {there is} any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Love worketh no ill to one's neighbor: therefore love {is} the fulfilling of the law.
And this, knowing the time, that now {it is} high time to awake out of sleep: for now {is} our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the lusts of flesh.
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, {but} not to doubtful disputations.
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not; and let not him who eateth not, judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth: and he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day {alike} . Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth {it} to the Lord: and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard {it} . He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.
For it is written, {As} I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall in {his} brother's way.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that {there is} nothing unclean by itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him {it is} unclean.
But if thy brother is grieved with {thy} food, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy food, for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For he that in these things serveth Christ, {is} acceptable to God, and approved by men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another.
For the sake of food, destroy not the work of God. All things indeed {are} pure; but {it is} evil for that man who eateth with offense.
{It is} good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor {any thing} by which thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy {is} he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eateth, because {he eateth} not from faith: for whatever {is} not from faith is sin.
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please {his} neighbor for {his} good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
For whatever things were written formerly, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind {and} one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises {made} to the fathers:
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for {his} mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name.
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
And again Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
And I myself also am persuaded concerning you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly to you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me from God.
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
I have therefore cause for glorying through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God.
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and around to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
And so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
But as it is written, They shall see to whom he was not spoken of: and they that have not heard shall understand.
For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you;
Whenever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I shall be somewhat filled with your {company} .
But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints who are at Jerusalem.
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things.
When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go by you into Spain.
And I am sure that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in {your} prayers to God for me;
That I may be delivered from them in Judea who do not believe; and that my service which {I have} for Jerusalem, may be acceptable to the saints;
That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Now the God of peace {be} with you all. Amen.
I commend to you Phebe our sister, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
That ye receive her in the Lord, as it becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Likewise {greet} the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us.
Salute Andronicus and Junia my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them who are of Aristobulus' {household} .
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that are of the {household} of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them.
Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
For your obedience is come abroad to all {men} . I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise to that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
And the God of peace will soon bruise Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you. Amen.
Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater my kinsmen, salute you.
I Tertius, who wrote {this} epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you all. Amen.
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which hath been kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
To God the only wise, {be} glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Paul, called {to be} an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes {our} brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called {to be} saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
Grace {be} to you, and peace from God our Father, and {from} the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and {in} all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who will also confirm you to the end, {that ye may be} blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God {is} faithful, by whom ye were called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and {that} there be no divisions among you; but {that} ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by them {who are of the house} of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in my own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ hath not sent me to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where {is} the wise? where {is} the scribe? where {is} the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For when in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;
But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble {are called} :
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who from God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellence of speech, or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching {was} not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
However, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, {even} the hidden {wisdom} which God ordained before the world to our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known {it} , they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed {them} to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know {them} , because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged by no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, {even} as to babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able {to bear it} , neither yet now are ye able.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas {there is} among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I {am} of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Who then is Paul, and who {is} Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted, Apollos watered: but God hath given the increase.
So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor.
For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, {ye are} God's building.
According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth upon it. But let every man take heed how he buildeth upon it.
For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man buildeth upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work will be made manifest: for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will try every man's work, of what sort it is.
If any man's work abideth which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he will suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and {that} the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defileth the temple of God, him will God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which {temple} ye are.
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours:
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
And ye are Christ's; and Christ {is} God's.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment: yes, I judge not my own self.
For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord shall come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself, and {to} Apollos, for your sakes; that ye may learn in us not to think {of men} above that which is written, that no one of you on account of one, may be puffed up against another.
For who maketh thee to differ {from another} ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive {it} , why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received {it} ?
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I wish ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.
We {are} fools for Christ's sake, but ye {are} wise in Christ; we {are} weak, but ye {are} strong; ye {are} honorable, but we {are} despised.
Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
And labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;
Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things to this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn {you} .
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet {have ye} not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who will bring you into remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them who are puffed up, but the power.
For the kingdom of God {is} not in word, but in power.
What will ye? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and {in} the spirit of meekness?
It is reported commonly {that there is} lewdness among you, and such lewdness as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already as though I were present, {concerning} him that hath so done this deed,
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are assembled, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
To deliver such one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Your boasting {is} not good. Know ye not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Cleanse out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened {bread} of sincerity and truth.
I have written to you in this epistle, not to associate with persons guilty of lewdness:
Yet not altogether with lewd persons of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then ye must needs go out of the world.
But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother is a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such person no not to eat.
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do ye not judge them that are within?
But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Do ye not know that the saints will judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?
If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that will be able to judge between his brethren?
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers.
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather {suffer yourselves to} be defrauded?
But ye do wrong, and defraud, and that {your} brethren.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body {is} not for lewdness, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
Know ye not, that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make {them} the members of a harlot? By no means.
What? know ye not that he who is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
Flee lewdness. Every sin that a man doeth, is without the body; but he that committeth lewdness, sinneth against his own body.
What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit {which is} in you, which ye have from God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Now concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: {It is} good for a man not to touch a woman.
Nevertheless, {to avoid} lewdness, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to the husband.
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Defraud ye not one the other, except with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan may not tempt you for your incontinence.
But I speak this by permission, {and} not as a commandment.
For I would that all men were as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they remain even as I.
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
And to the married I command, {yet} not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from {her} husband:
But if she shall depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to {her} husband: and let not the husband put away {his} wife.
But to the rest I speak, not the Lord, if any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
And the woman who hath a husband that believeth not, and if he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
But if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such {cases} ; but God hath called us to peace.
For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save {thy} husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save {thy} wife?
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all churches.
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not become circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Let every man continue in the same calling in which he was called.
Art thou called {being} a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use {it} rather.
For he that is called in the Lord, {being} a servant, is the Lord's free-man: likewise also he that is called, {being} free, is Christ's servant.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Brethren, let every man in the state in which he is called, continue in it with God.
Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, {I say} , that {it is} good for a man so to be.
Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
But if thou marry, thou hast not sinned: and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless, such will have trouble in the flesh; but I spare you.
But this I say, brethren, The time {is} short. It remaineth, that both they that have wives, be as though they had none;
And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
And they that use this world, as not abusing {it} . For the fashion of this world passeth away.
But I would have you without anxious care. He that is unmarried, is anxious for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
But he that is married, is anxious for the things that are of the world, how he may please {his} wife.
There is a difference {also} between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy, both in body and in spirit: but she that is married, is anxious for the things of the world, how she may please {her} husband.
And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin, if she hath passed the flower of {her} age, and need so requireth, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
Nevertheless, he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
So then he that giveth {her} in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth {her} not in marriage doeth better.
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband is dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
But she is happier if she so remain, after my judgment; and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
Now as concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
Therefore as concerning the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol {is} nothing in the world, and that {there is} no other God but one.
For though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many)
Yet to us {there is but} one God, the Father, from whom {are} all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom {are} all things, and we by him.
But {there is} not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat {it} as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
But food commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours should become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.
For if any man shall see thee, who hast knowledge, sit eating in the idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if food maketh my brother to fall into sin, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to fall into sin.
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
My answer to them that examine me is this,
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and {as} the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Or I only and Barnabas, have we not power to forbear working?
Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of its fruit? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Do I say these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he {this} altogether for our sakes? for our sakes, no doubt, {this} is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown to you spiritual things, {is it} a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
If others are partakers of {this} power over you, {are} not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do ye not know that they who minister about holy things live {from the things} of the temple, and they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me: for {it were} better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of: for necessity is laid upon me; and woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel!
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation {of the gospel} is committed to me.
What is my reward then? {Verily} that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my power in the gospel.
For though I am free from all {men} , yet I have made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more.
And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak: I have become all things to all {men} , that I might by all means save some.
And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with {you} .
Know ye not, that they who run in a race, all run, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they {do it} to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring {it} into subjection: lest by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
And were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And all ate the same spiritual food;
And all drank the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.)
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as {were} some of them: as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit lewdness, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
Now all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God {is} faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear {it} .
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
For we {being} many are one bread, {and} one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they who eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?
What then do I say? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
But {I say} , that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with demons.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of demons.
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's {wealth} .
Whatever is sold in the provision market, {that} eat, asking no question for conscience' sake:
For the earth {is} the Lord's, and its fullness.
If any of them that believe not invites you {to a feast} , and ye are disposed to go; whatever is set before you, eat, asking no question on account of conscience.
But if any man shall say to you, This is offered in sacrifice to idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake: for the earth {is} the Lord's, and its fullness:
Conscience, I say, not thy own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged by another {man's} conscience?
For if I by grace am a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Give no offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Even as I please all {men} in all {things} , not seeking my own profit, but the {profit} of many, that they may be saved.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also {am} of Christ.
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered {them} to you.
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman {is} the man; and the head of Christ {is} God.
Every man praying or prophesying, having {his} head covered, dishonoreth his head.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with {her} head uncovered, dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaved.
For if the woman is not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.
For a man indeed ought not to cover {his} head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
For the man is not from the woman, but the woman from the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on {her} head, because of the angels.
Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord.
For as the woman {is} from the man, even so {is} the man also by the woman; but all things from God.
Judge in yourselves: Is it comely that a woman should pray to God uncovered?
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man hath long hair, it is a shame to him?
But if a woman hath long hair, it is a glory to her: for {her} hair is given her for a covering.
But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Now in this that I declare {to you} , I praise {you} not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
For there must be also heresies among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you.
When therefore ye come together in one place, {this} is not to eat the Lord's supper.
For in eating every one taketh before {another} his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise {you} not.
For I have received from the Lord, that which also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus, the {same} night in which he was betrayed, took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he broke {it} , and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also {he took} the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as ye drink {it} , in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he shall come.
Wherefore, whoever shall eat this bread, and drink {this} cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of {that} bread, and drink of {that} cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
For this cause many {are} weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
And if any man hungereth, let him eat at home; that ye come not together to condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Now concerning spiritual {gifts} , brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God, calleth Jesus accursed: and {that} no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God who worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for profit.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, {divers} kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of languages:
But all these worketh that one and the same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also {is} Christ.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body {were} an eye, where {were} the hearing? If the whole {were} hearing, where {were} the smelling?
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where {were} the body?
But now {are they} many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those {members} of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely {parts} have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely {parts} have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that {part} which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but {that} the members should have the same care one for another.
And thus if one member suffers all the members suffer with it; or, if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of languages.
{Are} all apostles? {are} all prophets? {are} all teachers? {are} all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak in languages? do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet I show to you a more excellent way.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become {as} sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have {the gift of} prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed {the poor} , and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, {and} is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether {there are} prophecies, they shall fail; whether {there are} languages, they shall cease; whether {there is} knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these {is} charity.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual {gifts} , but rather that ye may prophesy.
For he that speaketh in an {unknown} language, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth {him} ; yet in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men {to} edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaketh in an {unknown} language edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
I would that ye all spoke in languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater {is} he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in languages, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
For if the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak into the air.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them {is} without signification.
Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh {will be} a barbarian to me.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual {gifts} , seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Wherefore, let him that speaketh in an {unknown} language, pray that he may interpret.
For if I pray in an {unknown} language, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
I thank my God, I speak in languages more than ye all:
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that {by my voice} I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in an {unknown} language.
Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
In the law it is written, With {men of} other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
Wherefore languages are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying {serveth} not for them that believe not, but for them who believe.
If therefore the whole church is assembled in one place, and all speak in languages, and there come in {those that are} unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are insane?
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or {one} unlearned, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on {his} face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you in truth.
How is it then, brethren? when ye are assembled, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a language, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.
If any man speaketh in an {unknown} language, {let it be} by two, or at the most {by} three, and {that} by course; and let one interpret.
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.
If {any thing} is revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
For God is not {the author} of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted to them to speak: but {they are commanded} to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only?
If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in languages.
Let all things be done decently, and in order.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also ye have received, and in which ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached to you, unless ye have believed in vain.
For I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve:
After that he was seen by above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain to this present, but some have fallen asleep.
After that he was seen by James; then by all the apostles.
And last of all he was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which {was bestowed} upon me, was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Therefore whether {it was} I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not raised.
And if Christ is not raised, then {is} our preaching vain, and your faith {is} also vain.
And indeed we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified concerning God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not, if in truth the dead rise not.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ is not raised, your faith {is} vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ raised from the dead, {and} become the first-fruits of them that slept.
For since by man {came} death, by man {came} also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Then {cometh} the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy {that} shall be destroyed {is} death.
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under {him} , {it is} manifest that he is excepted who did put all things under him.
And when all things shall be subdued to him, then shall the Son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Else what will they do, who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die.
Be not deceived: Evil communications corrupt good manners.
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak {this} to your shame.
But some {man} will say, How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?
{Thou} fool, that which thou sowest is not vivified except it die:
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain; it may be of wheat, or of some other {grain} :
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed its own body.
All flesh {is} not the same flesh; but {there is} one {kind of} flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, {and} another of fowls.
{There are} also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial {is} one, and the {glory} of the terrestrial {is} another.
{There is} one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for {one} star differeth from {another} star in glory.
So also {is} the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power:
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam {was made} a vivifying spirit.
However, that {was} not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man {is} from the earth, earthy: the second man {is} the Lord from heaven.
As {is} the earthy, such {are} they also that are earthy: and as {is} the heavenly, such {are} they also that are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal {must} put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where {is} thy sting? O grave, where {is} thy victory?
The sting of death {is} sin; and the strength of sin {is} the law.
But thanks {be} to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
Upon the first {day} of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as {God} hath prospered him, that there be no collections when I come.
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by {your} letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.
And if it be proper that I should go also, they shall go with me.
Now I will come to you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I am to pass through Macedonia.
And it may be that I shall abide, and even winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
But I shall tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
For a great door and effectual is opened to me, and {there are} many adversaries.
Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also {do} .
Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come to me: for I look for him with the brethren.
As concerning {our} brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come to you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, acquit yourselves like men, be strong.
Let all your things be done with charity.
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and {that} they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
That ye submit yourselves to such, and to every one that helpeth with {us} , and laboreth.
I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part, they have supplied.
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with a holy kiss.
The salutation of {me} Paul with my own hand.
If any man loveth not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maran-atha.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you.
My love {be} with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy {our} brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
Grace {be} to you and peace from God our Father, and {from} the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed {be} God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation.
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble by the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
And whether we are afflicted, {it is} for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we are comforted, {it is} for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope of you {is} steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so {shall ye be} also of the consolation.
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life:
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver {us} :
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift {bestowed} upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our manner of life in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
For we write no other things to you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye will acknowledge even to the end;
As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also {are} ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
And in this confidence I purposed to come to you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again from Macedonia to you, and by you to be brought on my way towards Judea.
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use levity? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay?
But {as} God {is} true, our word towards you was not yea and nay.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, {even} by me, and Silvanus, and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
For all the promises of God in him {are} yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us.
Now he who establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, {is} God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts.
Moreover, I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I have not as yet come to Corinth.
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same who is made sorry by me?
And I wrote this same to you, lest, coming I should have sorrow from them by whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is {the joy} of you all.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly to you.
But if any hath caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
Sufficient to such a man {is} this punishment, which {was inflicted} by many.
So that on the other hand, ye {ought} rather to forgive {him} , and comfort {him} , lest perhaps such one should be swallowed up with excessive sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm {your} love towards him.
For to this end also I wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.
To whom ye forgive any thing, I {forgive} also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave {it} , for your sakes {I forgave it} , in the person of Christ;
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to {preach} the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
Now thanks {be} to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.
For we are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
To the one {we are} the savor of death to death; and to the other the savor of life to life. And who {is} sufficient for these things?
For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some {others} , epistles of commendation to you, or {letters} of commendation from you.
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men:
{Forasmuch as ye are} manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on fleshly tables of the heart.
And such trust we have through Christ toward God.
Not that we are sufficient by ourselves to think any thing as from ourselves; but our sufficiency {is} from God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
But if the ministration of death, written {and} engraven on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which {glory} was to be done away;
How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?
For if the ministration of condemnation {was} glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
For if that which was done away {was} glorious, much more that which remaineth {is} glorious.
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
And not as Moses, {who} put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
But their minds were blinded: for until this day the same vail remaineth untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which {vail} is done away in Christ.
But even to this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord {is} , there {is} liberty.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, {even} as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But if our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to {give} the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not from us.
{We are} troubled on every side, yet not distressed; {we are} perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our body.
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Knowing, that he who raised the Lord Jesus, will raise us also by Jesus, and will present {us} with you.
For all things {are} for your sakes, that the abundant grace may, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is wasted, yet the inward {man} is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh out for us a far more exceeding {and} eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen {are} temporal; but the things which are not seen {are} eternal.
For we know that if our earthly house of {this} tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heaven:
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
For we that are in {this} tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not because we would be unclothed, but clothed, that mortality might be swallowed up in life.
Now he that hath wrought us for this same thing {is} God, who also hath given to us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore {we are} always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, {I say} , and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted by him.
For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things {done} in {his} body, according to what he hath done, whether good or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to {answer} them who glory in appearance, and not in heart.
For whether we are beside ourselves, {it is} to God: or whether we are sober, {it is} for your cause.
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
And {that} he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him who died for them, and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth we know no man according to the flesh: though indeed we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now henceforth we know {him} no more.
Therefore, if any man {is} in Christ, {he is} a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
And all things {are} from God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech {you} by us: we pray {you} in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
For he hath made him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We then, {as} co-workers {with him} , beseech {you} also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now {is} the accepted time; behold, now {is} the day of salvation.)
Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all {things} approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and {yet} true;
As unknown, and {yet} well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and {yet} possessing all things.
O {ye} Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged.
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
Now for a recompense in the same (I speak as to {my} children,) be ye also enlarged.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in {them} ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean {thing} ; and I will receive you;
And {I} will be a Father to you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
I speak not {this} to condemn {you} : for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with {you} .
Great {is} my boldness of speech towards you, great {is} my glorying concerning you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
For, when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without {were} fightings, within {were} fears.
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
And not by his coming only, but by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind towards me; so that I rejoiced the more.
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though {it was} but for a season.
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
For godly sorrow worketh penitence to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For behold this very thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, {what} clearing of yourselves, yea, {what} indignation, yea, {what} fear, yea, {what} vehement desire, yea, {what} zeal, yea, {what} avenging! In all {things} ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Wherefore, though I wrote to you, {I did it} not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: and exceedingly the more we rejoiced for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
For if I have boasted any thing to him concerning you, I am not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which {I made} before Titus, is found a truth.
And his tender affection is more abundant towards you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all {things} .
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
That in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality.
For to {their} power, I bear testimony, and even beyond {their} power, {they were} willing of themselves;
Praying us with much entreaty, that we would receive the gift, and {take upon us} the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
And {this they did} , not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God:
So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Therefore, as ye abound in every {thing} , {in} faith and utterance, and knowledge, and {in} all diligence, and {in} your love to us, {see} that ye abound in this grace also.
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
And in this I give {my} advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
Now therefore finish the doing {of it} ; that as {there was} a readiness to will, so {there may be} a performance also out of that which ye have.
For if there is first a willing mind, {it is} accepted according to what a man hath, {and} not according to what he hath not.
For {I mean} not that other men should be eased, and you burdened:
But by an equality, {that} now at this time your abundance {may be a supply} for their want, that their abundance also may be {a supply} for your want: that there may be equality:
As it is written, He that {had gathered} much had nothing over; and he that {had gathered} little had no want.
But thanks {be} to God, who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went to you.
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise {is} in the gospel throughout all the churches;
And not {that} only, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and {declaration of} your ready mind:
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved {to be} diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which {I have} in you.
If {any inquire} concerning Titus, {he is} my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren {be inquired of} , {they are} the messengers of the churches, {and} the glory of Christ.
Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
For as concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath incited very many.
Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before to you, and make up before hand your bounty, of which ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as {a matter of} bounty, and not {of} covetousness.
But this {I say} , He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, {so let him give} ; not grudgingly, or by constraint: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
And God {is} able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all {things} , may abound to every good work:
(As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Now may he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for {your} food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God;
While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for {your} liberal distribution to them, and to all {men} ;
And by their prayer for you, who long after you, for the exceeding grace of God in you.
Thanks {be} to God for his unspeakable gift.
Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence {am} base among you, but being absent am bold towards you:
But I beseech {you} , that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, with which I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare {are} not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusteth to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he {is} Christ's, even so {are} we Christ's.
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
For {his} letters (say they) {are} weighty and powerful; but {his} bodily presence {is} weak, and {his} speech contemptible.
Let such one think this, that such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such {will we be} also in deed when we are present.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
But we will not boast of things without {our} measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even to you.
For we stretch not ourselves beyond {our measure} , as though we reached not to you; for we are come as far as to you also in {preaching} the gospel of Christ:
Not boasting of things without {our} measure, {that is} , of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our rule abundantly,
To preach the gospel in the {regions} beyond you, {and} not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
I earnestly wish ye could bear with me a little in {my} folly: and indeed bear with me.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present {you as} a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or {if} ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with {him} .
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest apostles.
But though {I am} rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.
Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God without reward?
I robbed other churches, taking wages {of them} , to do you service.
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all {things} I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and {so} will I keep {myself} .
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
Why? because I love you not? God knoweth.
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them who desire occasion; that in what they glory, they may be found even as we.
For such {are} false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no wonder; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore {it is} no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
That which I speak, I speak {it} not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye {yourselves} are wise.
For ye suffer, if a man bringeth you into bondage, if a man devoureth {you} , if a man taketh {from you} , if a man exalteth himself, if a man smiteth you on the face.
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. But in whatever respect any is bold, (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? so {am} I. Are they Israelites? so {am} I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? so {am} I.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I {am} more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.
From the Jews five times I received forty {stripes} save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
{In} journeyings often, {in} perils of waters, {in} perils of robbers, {in} perils by {my own} countrymen, {in} perils by the heathen, {in} perils in the city, {in} perils in the wilderness, {in} perils in the sea, {in} perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is made to fall into sin, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern my infirmities.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
And through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such one caught up to the third heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Of such one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but {now} I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me {to be} , or {what} he heareth from me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing.
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
For what is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?
I desired Titus, and with {him} I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? {walked we} not in the same steps?
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but {we do} all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and {that} I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest {there be} debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
{And} lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among you, and I shall bewail many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and lewdness, and lasciviousness, which they have committed.
This {is} the third {time} I am coming to you: By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them who heretofore have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God towards you.
Examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye are reprobates?
But I trust that ye will know that we are not reprobates.
Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we should be as reprobates.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, {even} your perfection.
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the saints salute you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, {be} with you all. Amen.
Paul, an apostle, (not from men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
Grace {be} to you and peace from God the Father, and {from} our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
To whom {be} glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel:
Which is not another; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so I say now again, If any {man} preacheth any other gospel to you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught {it} , but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it;
And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called {me} by his grace,
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Neither did I go to Jerusalem to them who were apostles before me: but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
But I saw no other of the apostles, save James the Lord's brother.
Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
And was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ:
But they had heard only, That he who persecuted us in times past, now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
And they glorified God in me.
Then fourteen years after I went again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with {me} also.
And I went by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them who were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain.
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
But of these, who seemed to be somewhat, (whatever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed {to be somewhat} , in conference added nothing to me:
But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to me, as {the gospel} of the circumcision {was} to Peter;
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we {should go} to the heathen, and they to the circumcision.
Only {they would} that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
For before that certain came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles: but when they had come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; so that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before {them} all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
We {who are} Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, {is} therefore Christ the minister of sin? By no means.
For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I may live to God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness is {attainable} by the law, then Christ hath died in vain.
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if {it is} yet in vain.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, {doeth he this} by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Know ye therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, {saying} , In thee shall all nations be blessed.
So then they who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse: for it is written, Accursed {is} every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, {is} evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live by them.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Accursed {is} every one that hangeth on a tree:
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it is but a man's covenant, yet {if it is} confirmed, no man disannulleth or addeth to it.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
And this I say, {that} the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of no effect.
For if the inheritance {is} by the law, {it is} no more by promise: but God gave {it} to Abraham by promise.
What purpose then {serveth} the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; {and it was} ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Now a mediator is not a {mediator} of one; but God is one.
{Is} the law then against the promises of God? By no means: for if there had been a law given which could give life, verily righteousness would have been by the law.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Wherefore the law was our school-master {to bring us} to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after faith is come, we are no longer under a school-master.
For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye {are} Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Now I say, {That} the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he is lord of all;
But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
However then, when ye knew not God, ye did service to them which by nature are no gods.
But now, after ye have known God, or rather are known by God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which ye desire again to be in bondage?
Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.
Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I {am} as ye {are} : ye have not injured me at all.
Ye know that in infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at the first.
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, {even} as Christ Jesus.
What then was the blessedness ye spoke of; for I bear you testimony, that, if {it had been} possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
They zealously affect you, {but} not well; for, they would exclude you, that ye may affect them.
But {it is} good to be zealously affected always in {a} good {thing} , and not only when I am present with you.
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you,
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons; the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman.
But he {who was} of the bond-woman, was born according to the flesh; but he of the free-woman {was} by promise.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
For it is written, Rejoice, {thou} barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she who hath a husband.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him {that was born} according to the Spirit, even so {it is} now.
Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? Cast out the bond-woman and her son: for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Behold, I Paul say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; ye have fallen from grace.
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Ye did run well, who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?
This persuasion {cometh} not from him that calleth you.
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be.
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then hath the offense of the cross ceased.
I would they were even cut off who trouble you.
For, brethren, ye have been called to liberty; only {use} not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, {even} in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one by another.
{This} I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are {these} , Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told {you} in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
For every man shall bear his own burden.
Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall from the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all {men} , especially to them who are of the household of faith.
Ye see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand.
As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
But may it never be that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace {be} on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with your spirit. Amen.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace {be} to you, and peace from God our Father, and {from} the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed {be} the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly {places} in Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us to the adoption of children to himself by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath made us accepted in the beloved:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In which he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might collect in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; {even} in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also {trusted} , after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
Wherefore I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what {is} the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set {him} at his own right hand in the heavenly {places} ,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And put all {things} under his feet, and gave him {to be} the head over all {things} to the church,
Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
And you {hath he revived} , who were dead in trespasses and sins;
In which in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our manner of life in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath made us alive together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised {us} up together, and made {us} sit together in heavenly {places} , in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in {his} kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: {it is} the gift of God:
Not by works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Wherefore remember, that ye {being} in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who formerly were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition {between us} ;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, {even} the law of commandments {contained} in ordinances: to make in himself of two one new man, {so} making peace;
And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having by it slain the enmity:
And came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through him we both have an access by one Spirit to the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner -{stone} ;
In whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth to a holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are built together, for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me on your account.
That by revelation he made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words;
By which when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,
Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
That the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel:
Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of his power.
To me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
And to make all {men} see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly {places} might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him,
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what {is} the breadth, and length, and depth, and highth.
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
To him {be} glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation by which ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
{There is} one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
One God and Father of all, who {is} above all, and through all, and in you all.
But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, {and} cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive:
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, {even} Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But ye have not so learned Christ;
If indeed ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former manner of life the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts:
And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with {his} hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
But lewdness and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no lewd, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be ye not therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometime darkness, but now {are ye} light in the Lord: walk as children of light;
(For the fruit of the Spirit {is} in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable to the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove {them} .
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
But all things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light: for whatever doth make manifest is light.
Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord {is} .
And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so {let} wives {be} to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself: and the wife {see} that she reverence {her} husband.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Servants, be obedient to them that are {your} masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;
Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Knowing that whatever good thing any man doeth, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether {he be} bond or free.
And, ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high {places} .
Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which ye will be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for this purpose with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an embassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
But that ye also may know my affairs, {and} how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things:
Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that ye may know our affairs, and {that} he may comfort your hearts.
Peace {be} to the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace {be} with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Grace {be} to you, and peace, from God our Father and {from} the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform {it} until the day of Jesus Christ:
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
For God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and {in} all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things {which happened} to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel;
So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other {places} ;
And many of the brethren in the Lord, becoming confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife; and some also from good will.
The one preach Christ from contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
But the other from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
For I know that this will turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but {that} with all boldness, as always, {so} now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
For to me to live {is} Christ, and to die {is} gain.
But if I live in the flesh, this {is} the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not.
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh {is} more needful for you.
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Only let your manner of life be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
For to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, {and} now hear {to be} in me.
If {there is} therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, {being} of one accord, of one mind.
{Let} nothing {be done} through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of {things} in heaven, and {things} on earth, and {things} under the earth;
And {that} every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ {is} Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of {his} good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
And if I am even offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.
For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he was sick.
For indeed he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
I sent him therefore the more speedily, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh to death, not regarding his life, to supply the want of your service towards me.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed {is} not grievous, but for you {it is} safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concision.
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath reason to trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, {of} the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; with respect to the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; with respect to the righteousness which is by the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yes doubtless, and I count all things {to be} loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them {to be} dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death;
If by any means I may attain to the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I pursue, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but {this} one thing {I do} , forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before,
I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye are otherwise minded, God will reveal even this to you.
Nevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an example.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, {that they are} the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end {is} destruction, whose God {is their} belly, and {whose} glory {is} in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who will change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, {my} dearly beloved.
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and {with} other my fellow-laborers, whose names {are} in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always: {and} again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord {is} at hand.
Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things {are} honest, whatever things {are} just, whatever things {are} pure, whatever things {are} lovely, whatever things {are} of good report; if {there is} any virtue, and if {there is} any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, {with that} to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.
Notwithstanding ye have done well, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again to my necessity.
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things {which were sent} from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
But my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Now to God and our Father {be} glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar's household.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you all. Amen.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy {our} brother,
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colosse: Grace {be} to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love {which ye have} to all the saints,
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye have heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Which is come to you, as {it is} in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as {it doth} also in you, since the day ye heard {of it} , and knew the grace of God in truth:
As ye also learned from Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard {it} , do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye may walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks to the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated {us} into the kingdom of his beloved Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, {even} the forgiveness of sins:
Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are upon earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all {things} he may have the pre-eminence.
For it pleased {the Father} that in him should all fullness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, {I say} , whether {they are} things on earth, or things in heaven.
And you, that were formerly alienated and enemies in {your} mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight:
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and {are} not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, {and} which hath been preached to every creature which is under heaven; of which I Paul am made a minister;
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Of which I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
{Even} the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what {is} the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
For which I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and {for} them at Laodicea, and {for} as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
That their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lest any man should deceive you with enticing words.
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, {so} walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man make a prey of you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, in which also ye are raised with {him} through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he made alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
{And} having despoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a holy-day, or or the new-moon, or of the sabbaths:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body {is} of Christ.
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
And not holding the head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Wherefore, if ye are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.
If ye then be raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, {who is} our life, shall appear, then will ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; lewdness, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
In which ye also walked formerly, when ye lived with them.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new {man} , which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond {nor} free: but Christ {is} all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also {do} ye.
And above all these things {put on} charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever ye do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Husbands, love {your} wives, and be not bitter against them.
Children, obey {your} parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, provoke not your children {to anger} , lest they be discouraged.
Servants, obey in all things {your} masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
And whatever ye do, do {it} heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;
Knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
But he that doeth wrong, will receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Masters, give to {your} servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
At the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech {be} always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
All my state shall Tychicus declare to you, {who is} a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:
Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that he may know your state, and comfort your hearts;
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is {one} of you. They will make known to you all things which {are done} here.
Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, saluteth you; and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (concerning whom ye received commandments: if he should come to you, receive him;)
And Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only {are my} fellow-workers to the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.
Epaphras, who is {one} of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
For I bear him testimony, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them {that are} in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Salute the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the {epistle} from Laodicea.
And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace {be} with you. Amen.
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians {which is} in God the Father, and {in} the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace {be} to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Knowing, brethren beloved by God, your election.
For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit:
So that ye were examples to all that believe, in Macedonia and Achaia.
For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
For they themselves show of us what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God;
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, {even} Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain:
But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Phillippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.
For our exhortation {was} not from deceit, nor from impurity, nor in guile;
But as we were allowed by God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God {is} witness:
Nor from men sought we glory, neither from you, nor {yet} from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear to us.
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
Ye {are} witnesses, and God {also} , how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father {doth} his children,
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his kingdom and glory.
For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received {it} not {as} the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things from your own countrymen, even as they {have} from the Jews:
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
Wherefore we would have come to you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
For what {is} our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? {Are} not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
For ye are our glory and joy.
Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
And sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed to it.
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter may have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.
But now when Timothy came from you to us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also {to see} you:
Therefore, brethren, by your faith we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress:
For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;
Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all {men} , even as we {do} towards you:
To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort {you} by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, {so} ye would abound more and more.
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, {even} your sanctification, that ye should abstain from lewdness.
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles who know not God:
That no {man} go beyond and defraud his brother in {any} matter: because the Lord {is} the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given to us his holy Spirit.
But concerning brotherly love ye need not that I write to you: for ye yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
And indeed ye do it towards all the brethren who are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
That ye may walk honestly towards them that are without, and {that} ye may have need of nothing.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive {and} remain to the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we who are alive {and} remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write to you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as {do} others; but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunken, are drunken in the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. {And} be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are disorderly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all {men} .
See that none render evil for evil to any {man} ; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all {men} .
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the spirit.
Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and {I pray God} your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful {is} he that calleth you, who also will do {it} .
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you. Amen.
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth;
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
{Which is} a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Seeing {it is} a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired by all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of {this} calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of {his} goodness, and the work of faith with power:
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and {by} our gathering to him.
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for {that day shall not come} , except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now restraineth {will} restrain, until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and will destroy with the brightness of his coming:
{Even him} , whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all may be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:
To which he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given {us} everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have {free} course, and be glorified, even as {it is} with you;
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all {men} have not faith.
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and keep {you} from evil.
And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves a pattern to you to follow us.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
For we hear that there are some who walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.
And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Yet count {him} not as an enemy, but admonish {him} as a brother.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord {be} with you all.
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you all. Amen.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, {who is} our hope;
To Timothy, {my} own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, {and} peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith; {so do} .
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and {of} a good conscience, and {of} faith unfeigned:
From which some having swerved, have turned aside to vain jangling;
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor concerning what they affirm.
But we know that the law {is} good, if a man useth it lawfully;
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers,
For lewd persons, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did {it} ignorantly in unbelief:
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
This {is} a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, God the only wise, {be} honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
This charge I commit to thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mayest war a good warfare;
Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, {and} giving of thanks be made for all men;
For kings, and {for} all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this {is} good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For {there is} one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, {and} lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in decent apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array,
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Notwithstanding, she will be saved in child-bearing, if they continue in faith, and charity, and holiness, with sobriety.
This {is} a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient; not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(For if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover, he must have a good report of them who are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Likewise {must} the deacons {be} grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre,
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being {found} blameless.
Even so {must their} wives {be} grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children, and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee shortly:
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Forbidding to marry, {and commanding} to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth.
For every creature of God {is} good, and nothing to be refused, if received with thanksgiving:
For it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer.
If thou shalt put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou wilt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and of good doctrine, to which thou hast attained.
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself {rather} to godliness.
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
This {is} a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.
For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.
These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in deportment, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed to thyself and to thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou wilt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Rebuke not an elder, but entreat {him} as a father; {and} the younger men as brethren;
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Honor widows that are widows indeed.
But if any widow hath children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
But she that liveth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth.
And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
But if any provideth not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Let not a widow be taken into the number under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man.
Well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they will marry;
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
And at the same time they learn {to be} idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
For some are already turned aside after Satan.
If any man or woman that believeth hath widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer {is} worthy of his reward.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
I charge {thee} before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Impose hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thy frequent infirmities.
Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment: and some {men} they follow after.
Likewise also the good works {of some} are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and {his} doctrine may not be blasphemed.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise {them} , because they are brethren; but rather do {them} service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
If any man teacheth otherwise, and consenteth not to wholesome words, {even} the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness,
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, from which cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into {this} world, {and it is} certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment, with these let us be content.
But they that will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and {into} many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some have coveted, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee from these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who maketh alive all things, and {before} Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified a good confession;
That thou keep {this} commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Which in his times he will show {who is} the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom {be} honor and power everlasting. Amen.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane {and} vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called;
Which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace {be} with thee. Amen.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, {my} dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, {and} peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve from {my} forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
For which cause I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the imposition of my hands.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called {us} with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began;
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
To which I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
That good thing which was committed to thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.
This thou knowest, that all they who are in Asia are turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found {me} .
The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of {this} life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also striveth for masteries, {yet} is he not crowned, except he striveth lawfully.
The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
In which I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, {even} to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
{It is} a faithful saying: For if we are dead with {him} , we shall also live with {him} :
If we suffer, we shall also reign with {him} : if we deny {him} , he also will deny us:
If we believe not, {yet} he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Of these things put {them} in remembrance, charging {them} before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, {but} to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus;
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
If a man therefore will cleanse himself from these, he will be a vessel to honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, {and} prepared to every good work.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions.
And the servant of the Lord must not contend; but be gentle to all {men} , apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth:
And {that} they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times will come.
For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying its power: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts;
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly will be manifest to all {men} , as theirs also was.
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,
Persecutions, afflictions which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of {them} all the Lord delivered me.
And all indeed that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers will become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing from whom thou hast learned {them} ;
And that from a child thou hast known the sacred scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture {is} given by inspiration of God, and {is} profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.
I charge {thee} therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts will they multiply to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they will turn away {their} ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished {my} course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.
Do thy diligence to come shortly to me:
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and hath departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Luke only is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring {with thee} , and the books, {but} especially the parchments.
Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
Of whom be thou aware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all {men} forsook me: {I pray God} that it may not be laid to their charge.
Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and {that} all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve {me} to his heavenly kingdom; to whom {be} glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus I have left at Miletum sick.
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
The Lord Jesus Christ {be} with thy spirit. Grace {be} with you. Amen.
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is according to godliness;
In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began;
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
To Titus, {my} own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, {and} peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
If any is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or disorderly.
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
For there are many disorderly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of sordid gain.
One of themselves, {even} a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians {are} always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
This testimony is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men that turn from the truth.
To the pure all things {are} pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving {is} nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny {him} , being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience;
The aged women likewise, that {they be} in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
{To be} discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine {showing} incorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say concerning you.
{Exhort} servants to be obedient to their own masters, {and} to please {them} well in all {things} ; not answering again;
Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ;
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, {but} gentle, showing all meekness to all men.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, {and} hating one another.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior towards man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;
Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
{This is} a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject;
Knowing that he who is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned by himself.
When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing may be wanting to them.
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace {be} with you all. Amen.
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy {our} brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer,
And to {our} beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all saints;
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient.
Yet for love's sake I rather beseech {thee} , being such one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel:
But without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever;
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
If thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth {thee} aught, put that on my account;
I Paul have written {it} with my own hand, I will repay {it} : although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.
Yes, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with your spirit. Amen.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken to us by {his} Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Who being the brightness of {his} glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
But to the Son, {he saith} , Thy throne, O God, {is} for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness {is} the scepter of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, {even} thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
They shall perish; but thou remainest: and they all shall become old as doth a garment;
And as a vesture wilt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall inherit salvation?
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let {them} slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard {him} ;
God also bearing {them} testimony, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
For to the angels he hath not put in subjection the world to come, concerning which we speak.
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing {that is} not made subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
For it became him, for whom {are} all things, and by whom {are} all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, {are} all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee.
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I, and the children which God hath given me.
Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
And deliver them, who, through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage.
For verily he took not on {him the nature of} angels; but he took on {him} the seed of Abraham.
Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like {his} brethren; that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things {pertaining} to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses {was faithful} in all his house.
For this {man} was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath built the house, hath more honor than the house.
For every house is built by some {man} ; but he that built all things {is} God.
And Moses verily {was} faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were {afterwards} to be spoken.
But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in {their} heart; and they have not known my ways.
So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end;
While it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
For some, when they had heard, did provoke: yet, not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
But with whom was he grieved forty years? {was it} not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left {us} of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
For to us was the gospel preached, as well as to them: but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard {it} .
For we who have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh {day} on this wise, And God rested the seventh day from all his works.
And in this {place} again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter into it, and they to whom it was first preached entered not because of unbelief:
(Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
For if Jesus had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that hath entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God {did} from his.)
Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
For the word of God {is} living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and {is} a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things {are} naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast {our} profession.
For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but who was in all points tempted as {we are} , {yet} without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things {pertaining} to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
And by reason of this he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
And no man taketh this honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as {was} Aaron:
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said to him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.
As he saith also in another {place} , Thou {art} a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard, in that he feared;
Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him;
Called by God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need of one to teach you again which {are} the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong food.
For every one that useth milk, {is} unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong food belongeth to them that are of full age, {even} those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this will we do, if God permit.
For {it is} impossible for those who have been once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit.
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put {him} to an open shame.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs fit for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
But that which beareth thorns and briers {is} rejected, and {is} nigh to cursing; whose end {is} to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
For God {is} not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire every one of you to show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation {is} to them an end of all contradiction.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed {it} by an oath:
That by two immutable things, in which {it was} impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which {hope} we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail;
Whither the forerunner hath for us entered, {even} Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Now consider how great this man {was} , to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they come from the loins of Abraham:
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
And without all contradiction the less is blessed by the better.
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he {receiveth them} , of whom it is testified that he liveth.
And as I may say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law) what further need {was there} that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
For {it is} evident that our Lord sprang from Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
For he testifieth, Thou {art} a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
For there is verily a disannulling of the preceding commandment on account of its weakness and unprofitableness.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the introduction of a better hope {did} ; by which we draw nigh to God.
And inasmuch as not without an oath {he was made priest} :
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said to him, The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou {art} a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
But this {man} , because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
For such a high priest became us, {who is} holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
For the law maketh men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, {maketh} the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Now of the things which we have spoken {this is} the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore {it is} of necessity that this man should have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, seeing there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Who serve to the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished by God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See (saith he) {that} thou make all things according to the pattern shown to thee in the mount.
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
For if that first {covenant} had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for the second.
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
For this {is} the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
In that he saith, A new {covenant} , he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and groweth old {is} ready to vanish away.
Then verily the first {covenant} had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, in which {was} the candlestick, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called the sanctuary.
And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid around with gold, in which {was} the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service {of God} :
But into the second {went} the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and {for} the errors of the people:
The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Which {was} a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
{Which stood} only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed {on them} until the time of reformation.
But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood; he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption {for us} .
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctify to the purifying of the flesh:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions {that were} under the first testament, they who are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
For where a testament {is} , there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
For a testament {is} of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Hence even the first {testament} was not dedicated without blood.
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people,
Saying, This {is} the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined to you.
Moreover, he sprinkled likewise with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
And almost all things are by the law cleansed with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
{It was} therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
For Christ hath not entered into the holy places made with hands, {which are} the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to them that look for him he will appear the second time without sin to salvation.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, {and} not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers to {them} perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once cleansed, would have had no more conscience of sins.
But in those {sacrifices there is} a remembrance again {made} of sins every year.
For {it is} not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
In burnt-offerings and {sacrifices} for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written concerning me,) to do thy will, O God.
Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offerings and {offering} for sin thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure {in them} ; which are offered by the law;
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once {for all} .
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth waiting till his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
{Of this} the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
This {is} the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where remission of these {is} , {there is} no more offering for sin.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh;
And {having} a high priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of {our} faith without wavering; for he {is} faithful that promised:
And let us consider one another to excite to love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some {is} ; but exhorting {one another} : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful apprehension of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
He that despised Moses' law, died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Of how much more severe punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace?
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance {belongeth} to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge his people.
{It is} a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Partly, while ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while ye became companions of them that were so used.
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the seizing of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that is coming will come, and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if {any man} shall draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back to perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which appeared.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
But without faith {it is} impossible to please {him} : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and {that} he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to remove into a place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he was going.
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as {in} a foreign country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker {is} God.
Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as good as dead, {so many} as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of {them} , and embraced {them} , and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
And truly, if they had been mindful of that {country} from whence they came, they might have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better {country} , that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only-begotten {son} ,
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Accounting that God {was} able to raise {him} even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, {leaning} upon the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw {he was} a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
By faith Moses, when he had come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect to the recompense of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry {land} : which the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, as she had received the spies with peace.
And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and {of} Barak, and {of} Samson, and {of} Jephthah, {of} David also, and Samuel, and {of} the prophets:
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of {cruel} mockings and scourgings, and, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and {in} mountains, and {in} dens and caves of the earth.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having provided some better {thing} for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset {us} , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of {our} faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh to you as to children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked by him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons: for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected {us} , and we gave {them} reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened {us} after their own pleasure; but he for {our} profit, that {we} might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them who are exercised by it.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Follow peace with all {men} , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble {you} , and by it many be defiled;
Lest there {be} any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birth-right.
For ye know that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
For ye are not come to the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor to blackness, and to darkness, and tempest,
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which {voice} they that heard, entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
And so terrible was the sight, {that} Moses said, I exceedingly fear and tremble:)
But ye are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than {that of} Abel.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more {shall not} we {escape} , if we turn away from him that {speaketh} from heaven:
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this {word} , Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.
For our God {is} a consuming fire.
Let brotherly love continue.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for by this some have entertained angels unawares.
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; {and} them who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Marriage {is} honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but lewd persons and adulterers God will judge.
{Let your} manner of life {be} without covetousness; {and be} content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord {is} my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.
Remember them who have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of {their} manner of life.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for {it is} a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied in them.
We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle.
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of {our} lips, giving thanks to his name.
But to do good, and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that {is} unprofitable for you.
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
But I beseech {you} the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom {be} glory for ever and ever. Amen.
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter to you in few words.
Know ye, that {our} brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Grace {be} with you all. Amen.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
Knowing {this} , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have {her} perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all {men} liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord.
A man unsettled in his opinions {is} unstable in all his ways.
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun hath no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and its flower falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Blessed {is} the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Of his own will he hath begotten us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and immediately forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But he who looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth {in it} , he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
If any man among you seemeth to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion {is} vain.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, {and} to keep himself unspotted from the world.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, {the Lord} of glory, with respect of persons.
For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say to him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?
Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one {point} , he is guilty of all.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery; said also, Do not kill. Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
What {doth it} profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you sayeth to them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what {doth it} profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Also a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent {them} out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
For in many things we all offend. If any man offendeth not in word, the same {is} a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and {are} driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue {is} a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; {it is} an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet {water} and bitter?
Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain {can} yield both salt water and fresh.
Who {is} a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but {is} earthly, sensual, demoniacal.
For where envying and strife {is} , there {is} confusion and every evil work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, {and} easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.
From whence {come} wars and fightings among you? {come they} not hence, {even} from your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume {it} upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse {your} hands, {ye} sinners, and purify {your} hearts, {ye} double-minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and {your} joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of {his} brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain:
Whereas ye know not what {will be} on the morrow: For what {is} your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Instead of that ye {ought} to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth {it} not, to him it is sin.
Come now, {ye} rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon {you} .
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have amassed treasure for the last days.
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped your fields, which is by you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them who have reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
Ye have condemned {and} killed the just; {and} he doth not resist you.
Be patient, therefore, brethren, to the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receiveth the early and the latter rain.
Be ye also patient; establish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Behold, we count them happy who endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea, be yea: and {your} nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing psalms.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
Confess {your} faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.
Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.
Brethren, if any one of you should err from the truth, and one should convert him;
Let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will hide a multitude of sins.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied.
Blessed {be} the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In which ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though tried with fire, might be found to praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see {him} not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, {even} the salvation of {your} souls.
Concerning which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace {that should come} to you:
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the things which are now reported to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of deportment.
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning {here} in fear:
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, {as} silver and gold, from your vain course of life {received} by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you,
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brethren, {see that ye} love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
For all flesh {is} as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and its flower falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.
Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings,
As new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord {is} gracious.
To whom coming {as to} a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but chosen by God, {and} precious,
Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
To you therefore who believe {he is} precious: but to them who are disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, {even to them} who stumble at the word, being disobedient: to which also they were appointed.
But ye {are} a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Who in time past {were} not a people, but {are} now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech {you} as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Having your manner of life honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by {your} good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
Or to governors, as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.
For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
As free, and not using {your} liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Honor all {men} . Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Servants, {be} subject to {your} masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this {is} thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards God endureth grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory {is it} , if, when ye are buffeted for your faults, ye bear it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer {for it} , ye bear it patiently, this {is} acceptable with God.
For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed {himself} to him that judgeth righteously:
Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Likewise, ye wives, {be} in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the deportment of the wives;
While they behold your chaste manner of life {coupled} with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward {adorning} of plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on apparel;
But {let it be} the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, {even the ornament} of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in former times the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with {them} according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, {be ye} all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, {be} pitiful, {be} courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary, blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, that ye should inherit a blessing.
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him shun evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord {are} over the righteous, and his ears {are open} to their prayers: but the face of the Lord {is} against them that do evil.
And who {is} he that will harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good?
But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy {are ye} : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and {be} ready always to {give} an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good deportment in Christ.
For {it is} better, if the will of God is so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison;
Who formerly were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.
The like figure to which, {even} baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject to him.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
That he no longer should live the rest of {his} time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
For the time past of {our} life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
In which they think it strange that ye run not with {them} to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of {you} :
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch to prayer.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity will cover a multitude of sins.
Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
As every man hath received the gift, {even so} minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
If any man speaketh {let him speak} as the oracles of God; if any man ministereth {let him do it} as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
But rejoice, seeing ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy {are ye} ; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or {as} a thief, or {as} an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters.
Yet if {any man suffereth} as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
For the time {is come} that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if {it} first {beginneth} at us, what will {be} the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls {to him} in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.
The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight {of it} , not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but from a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over {God's} heritage, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all {of you} be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle {you} .
To him {be} glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand.
The {church that is} at Babylon, elected together with {you} , saluteth you; and {so doth} Mark my son.
Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace {be} with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given to us all things that {pertain} to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make {you that ye shall} neither {be} barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purified from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know {them} , and are established in the present truth.
Indeed, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting {you} in remembrance;
Knowing that shortly I must put off {this} my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shown me.
Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him on the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke {as they were} moved by the Holy Spirit.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will privately bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth will be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness they will with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast {them} down to hell, and delivered {them} into chains of darkness, to be reserved to judgment;
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth {person} , a preacher of righteousness, bringing the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned {them} with an overthrow, making {them} an example to those that afterwards should live ungodly lives.
And delivered just Lot, grieved with the habitual lewdness of the wicked:
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, grieved {his} righteous soul from day to day with {their} unlawful deeds;)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished:
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous {are they} , self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption:
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, {as} they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time. Spots {they are} and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: they have a heart exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Who have forsaken the right way, and gone astray, following the way of Balaam {the son} of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, forbad the madness of the prophet.
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
For when they speak great swelling {words} of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, {through much} wantonness, those that had quite escaped from them who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for by whom a man is overcome, by the same is he brought into bondage.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known {it} , to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
But it hath happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog {is} turned to his own vomit again; and, The sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.
This second epistle, beloved, I now write to you; in {both} which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as {they were} from the beginning of the creation.
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day {is} with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein will be burned up.
{Seeing} then {that} all these things will be dissolved, what manner {of persons} ought ye to be in {all} holy deportment and godliness,
Looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account {that} the long-suffering of our Lord {is} salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, hath written to you;
As also in all {his} epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as {they do} also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know {these things} before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
But grow in grace, and {in} the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him {be} glory both now and for ever. Amen.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen {it} , and testify, and show to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship {is} with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us {our} sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, these things I write to you, that ye sin not. And if any man sinneth, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for {the sins of} the whole world.
And by this we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him {that is} from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
I have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him {that is} from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Love not the world, neither the things {that are} in the world. If any man loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that {is} in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust of it: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist cometh, even now are there many antichrists; by which we know that it is the last time.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would {no doubt} have continued with us: but {they went out} , that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
I have not written to you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Whoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: {but} he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also .
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, {even} eternal life.
These {things} have I written to you concerning them that seduce you.
But the anointing which ye have received from him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man should teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
If ye know that he is righteous ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Whoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Whoever abideth in him sinneth not: whoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Whoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
Not as Cain, {who} was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not {his} brother, abideth in death.
Whoever hateth his brother, is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
By this we perceive the love {of God} , because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down {our} lives for the brethren.
But he who hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels {of compassion} from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
For if our heart condemneth us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart doth not condemn us, {then} have we confidence towards God.
And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
And this is his commandment; That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
By this ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ hath come in the flesh, is from God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not from God. And this is that {spirit} of antichrist, of which ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore they speak from the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God. He that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is from God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son {to be} the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and do testify, that the Father sent the Son {to be} the Savior of the world.
Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love: and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.
In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth, is not made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us.
If a man sayeth, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God, love his brother also.
Whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten by him.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.
For whatever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, {even} our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he that came by water and blood, {even} Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth testimony, because the Spirit is truth.
For there are three that bear testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.
And there are three that bear testimony on earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater: for this is the testimony of God which he hath testified of his Son.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he hath not believed the testimony that God gave of his Son.
And this is the testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life: and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son, hath life; {and} he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.
These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he heareth us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired from him.
If any man shall see his brother sin a sin {which is} not to death, he shall ask, and he will give him life for them that sin not to death. There is a sin to death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not to death.
We know that whoever is born of God, sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
{And} we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
And we know that the Son of God hath come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, {even} in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
The elder to the elect lady, and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
Grace be with you, mercy, {and} peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
For many deceivers have entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver, and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Whoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If any one cometh to you, and bringeth not this doctrine, receive him not into {your} house, neither wish him happiness:
For he that wisheth him happiness, is partaker of his evil deeds.
Having many things to write to you, I would not {write} with paper and ink: but I trust to come to you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
The elder to the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Who have borne testimony of thy charity before the church: whom if thou shalt bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou wilt do well:
Because for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers to the truth.
I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content with that, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth {them} out of the church.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Demetrius hath good report by all {men} , and by the truth itself: and we {also} bear testimony; and ye know that our testimony is true.
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee:
But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace {be} to thee. {Our} friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, {and} called:
Mercy to you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you concerning the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort {you} that ye should earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints.
For certain men have crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
And the angels who kept not their first state, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to impurity, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Likewise also these {filthy} dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds {they are} without water, carried about by winds; withered autumnal trees, without fruit, twice dead, plucked out by the roots;
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convict all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have impiously committed, and of all their hard {speeches} which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling {words} , having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
That they told you there would be mockers in the last time, who would walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Spirit,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling {them} out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present {you} faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To God the only wise, our Savior, {be} glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified {it} by his angel to his servant John:
Who bore testimony of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Blessed {is} he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time {is} at hand.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace {be} to you, and peace, from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;
And from Jesus Christ, {who is} the faithful witness, {and} the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
And hath made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him {be} glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they {also} who pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send {it} to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks {one} like the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
His head and {his} hairs {were} white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes {were} as a flame of fire;
And his feet like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance {was} as the sun shineth in his strength.
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
{I am} he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
To the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear them who are evil; and thou hast tried them who say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found them liars:
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.
Nevertheless, I have {somewhat} against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write; These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive;
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and {I know} the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but {are} the synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast {some} of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful to death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; He that overcometh, shall not be hurt by the second death.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he who hath the sharp sword with two edges;
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, {even} where Satan's seat {is} : and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas {was} my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit lewdness.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Repent; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, he excepted, that receiveth {it} .
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet {are} like fine brass;
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last {to be} more than the first:
Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit lewdness, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
And I gave her time to repent of her lewdness, and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give to every one of you according to your works.
But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you no other burden:
But that which ye have {already} hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
(And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:) even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning-star.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth:
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, {which is} new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and {I will write upon him} my new name.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then, because thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit thee out of my mouth:
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and {that} the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man shall hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on his throne.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
After this I looked, and behold, a door {was} opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard, {was} as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.
And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and {one} sat on the throne.
And he that sat was in appearance like a jasper and a sardine stone: and {there was} a rainbow around the throne in sight like an emerald.
And around the throne {were} four and twenty seats; and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices. And {there were} seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And before the throne {there was} a sea of glass like crystal: And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, {were} four living beings full of eyes before and behind.
And the first living being {was} like a lion, and the second living being like a calf, and the third living being had a face as a man, and the fourth living being {was} like a flying eagle.
And the four living beings had each of them six wings about {him} ; and {they were} full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.
And when those living beings give glory, and honor, and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals?
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look upon it.
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look upon it.
And one of the elders saith to me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose its seven seals.
And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
And when he had taken the book, the four living beings, and four {and} twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals of it: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and language, and people, and nation;
And hast made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living beings, and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, {be} to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four living beings said, Amen. And the four {and} twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever.
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living beings saying, Come and see.
And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living being say, Come and see.
And there went out another horse {that was} red: and {power} was given to him that sat upon him to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a great sword.
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living being say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo, a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living beings say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and {see} thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living being say, Come and see.
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him. And power was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given to every one of them; and it was said to them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they {were} , should be fulfilled.
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood:
And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth its untimely figs, when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and isle were moved out of their places.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every free-man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who will be able to stand?
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
And I heard the number of them who were sealed: {and there were} sealed a hundred {and} forty four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Of the tribe of Judah {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad {were} sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Asher {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtalim {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses {were} sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Simeon {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Isachar {were} sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Zabulon {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph {were} sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin {were} sealed twelve thousand.
After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and languages, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb.
And all the angels stood around the throne, and {about} the elders and the four living beings, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, {be} to our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these that are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said to him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne will dwell among them.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them, and will lead them to living fountains of waters: and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
And I saw the seven angels who stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer {it} with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense, {which came} with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God out of the angel's hand.
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast {it} upon the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died by the waters, because they were made bitter.
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so that the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men who have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment {was} as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
And the shapes of the locusts {were} like to horses prepared for battle; and on their heads {were} as it were crowns like gold, and their faces {were} as the faces of men.
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as {the teeth} of lions.
And they had breast-plates, as it were breast-plates of iron; and the sound of their wings {was} as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power {was} to hurt men five months.
And they had a king over them, {who is} the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew language {is} Abaddon, but in the Greek language he hath {his} name Apollyon.
One woe is past; {and} behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates.
And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men.
And the number of the army of the horsemen {was} two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breast-plates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses {were} as the heads of lions: and out of their mouths issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone.
By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails {were} like to serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
And the rest of the men who were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their lewdness, nor of their thefts.
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow {was} upon his head, and his face {was} as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and {his} left {foot} on the earth,
And cried with a loud voice, as {when} a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
And swore by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that are in it, and the earth, and the things that are in it, and the sea, and the things which are in it, that there should be time no longer:
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again, and said, Go, {and} take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
And I went to the angel, and said to him, Give me the little book. And he said to me, Take {it} , and eat it, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it my belly was bitter.
And he said to me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and languages, and kings.
And there was given me a reed like a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship in it.
But the court which is without the temple, leave out, and measure it not; for it is given to the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty {and} two months.
And I will give {power} to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred {and} sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.
These are the two olive-trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
And their dead bodies {shall lie} in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
And they of the people, and kindreds, and languages, and nations, shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them who saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them, Come up hither. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were killed of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The second woe is past; {and} behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become {the kingdoms} of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he will reign for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders, who sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshiped God,
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them who destroy the earth.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
And she being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered, to devour her child as soon as it was born.
And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and {to} his throne.
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred {and} sixty days.
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out upon the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death.
Therefore rejoice, {ye} heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down to you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
And when the dragon saw that he was cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the male -{child} .
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were as {the feet} of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
And they worshiped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who {is} like the beast? who is able to make war with him?
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to continue forty {and} two months.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and languages, and nations.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If any man hath an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by {the means of} those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and lived.
And he had power to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save him that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number {is} six hundred and sixty six.
And I looked, and lo, a lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred {and} forty four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred {and} forty four thousand, who were redeemed from the earth.
These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, {being} the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb.
And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and language, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her lewdness.
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worshipeth the beast and his image, and receiveth {his} mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Here is the patience of the saints: here {are} they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me, Write, Blessed {are} the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: Verily, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works follow them.
And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud {one} sat like the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast {it} into the great wine-press of the wrath of God.
And the wine-press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine-press, even to the horses' bridles, by the space of a thousand {and} six hundred furlongs.
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gained the victory over the beast, {and} over his image, and over his mark, {and} over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous {are} thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true {are} thy ways, thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for {thou} only {art} holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
And one of the four living beings gave to the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and {upon} them who worshiped his image.
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead {man} : and every living soul died in the sea.
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, who art, and wast, and wilt be, because thou hast judged thus.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
And I heard another from the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous {are} thy judgments.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, who hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
And blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water of it was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs {come} out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are the spirits of demons, working miracles, {which} go forth to the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed {is} he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as hath not been since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, {and} so great.
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
And every isle fled away, and the mountains were not found.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, {every stone} about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague of it was exceeding great.
And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying to me, Come hither; I will show to thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;
With whom the kings of the earth have committed lewd deeds, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her lewdness.
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet-color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her lewdness:
And upon her forehead {was} a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
And the angel said to me, Why didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
And here {is} the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, {and} the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short time.
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength to the beast.
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him {are} called, and chosen, and faithful.
And he saith to me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and languages.
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
And the woman whom thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
For all nations have drank of the wine of the wrath of her lewdness, and the kings of the earth have committed lewd deeds with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached to heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double to her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong {is} the Lord God who judgeth her.
And the kings of the earth, who have committed lewdness and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all vessels of ivory, and all vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after have departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
The merchants of these things who were made rich by her, shall stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every ship-master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What {city is} like this great city!
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, in which were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her opulence! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Rejoice over her {thou} heaven, and {ye} holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast {it} into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be no more found.
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be no more heard in thee; and no artificer, of whatever craft {he be} , shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be no more heard in thee;
And the light of a candle shall shine no more in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
And after these things I heard a great voice of many people in heaven, saying, Alleluia: Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, to the Lord our God:
For true and righteous {are} his judgments: for he hath judged the great harlot, who corrupted the earth with her lewdness, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith to me, Write, Blessed {are} they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith to me, These are the true sayings of God.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See {thou do it} not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and he that sat upon him {was} called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes {were} as a flame of fire, and on his head {were} many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
And he {was} clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called, The Word of God.
And the armies {which were} in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he hath on {his} vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come, and assemble yourselves to the supper of the great God;
That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all {men} , {both} free and bond, both small and great.
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, assembled to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which {sword} proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them: and {I saw} the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received {his} mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This {is} the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy {is} he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
And when the thousand years have expired, Satan shall be loosed from his prison,
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle: the number of whom {is} as the sand of the sea.
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet {are} , and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is {the book} of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God {is} with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them, {and be} their God.
And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and lewd men, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
And there came to me one of the seven angels, who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Having the glory of God: and her light {was} like to a stone most precious, even like a jasper-stone, clear as crystal;
And had a wall great and high, {and} had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are {the names} of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And he that talked with me, had a golden reed to measure the city, and its gates, and its wall.
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the hight of it are equal.
And he measured the wall of it a hundred {and} forty four cubits, {according to} the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
And the building of the wall of it was {of} jasper: and the city {was} pure gold, like clear glass.
And the foundations of the wall of the city {were} garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation {was} jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprase; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
And the twelve gates {were} twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl; and the street of the city {was} pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
And I saw no temple in it: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God enlightened it, and the Lamb {is} the light of it.
And the nations of them who are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
And the gates of it shall not be shut by day: for there shall be no night there.
And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither {whatever} worketh abomination, or {maketh} a lie; but they who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of it, and on each side of the river, {was there} the tree of life, which bore twelve {kinds of} fruits, {and} yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree {were} for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
And they shall see his face; and his name {shall be} in their foreheads.
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
And he said to me, These sayings {are} faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show to his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Behold, I come quickly: blessed {is} he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
And I John saw these things, and heard {them} . And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then saith he to me, See {thou do it} not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them who keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
And he saith to me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he who is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
And behold, I come quickly; and my reward {is} with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Blessed {are} they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without {are} dogs, and sorcerers, and lewd men, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, {and} the bright and morning-star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is thirsty, come: And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
For I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and {from} the things which are written in this book.
He who testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ {be} with you all. Amen.
