They left the council and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Jesus continued: I tell you, make friends for yourselves with worldly wealth. That way when it gives out, you will be welcomed in the eternal home.

Esau pleaded: Father, please! Do you have only one blessing, Father? Bless me too, Father! Esau broke down and wept.

Now that you have searched through all my belongings, what household article have you found that belongs to you? Put it out here where your men and mine can see it. Let them decide which one of us is right.

When they finished talking James said: Brothers listen to me:

The voice I heard from heaven spoke to me again, and said: Go take the little book that is open in the hand of the angel who stands upon the sea and upon the earth.

I struck you with scorching winds, mildew and hail to ruin everything you tried to grow, declared Jehovah, but you still did not repent.

I will gather all nations! I will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage, Israel. They have scattered my people among the nations and they have divided up my land.

And they told the things that happened in the way, how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

This man will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and tramples our palaces we will raise against him seven shepherds, and eight leaders of men.

You are doomed! Heroes of the wine bottle! Brave and fearless when it comes to mixing drinks!

There is none like you, O Jehovah. You are great and your name is powerful.

Do not lust after her beauty in your heart. Do not let her attract you with her eyelids.

Behold, the eyes of the Lord Jehovah are upon the sinful kingdom! Yet, I will destroy it from off the face of the earth! I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, said Jehovah.

The angels rose. These were the living creatures that I saw at the Chebar River.

Therefore the land will mourn. All the inhabitants are weak. The beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea will also perish.

pendants, bracelets, scarves,

You say: How I have hated instruction! My heart despised reproof.

Yet, Jehovah lives forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.

Jehovah says: The people of Israel have not stopped sinning against me since the time of their sin at Gibeah. So at Gibeah war will catch up with them.

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Righteousness will deliver the upright. Greed will capture the unfaithful.

He who winks the eye [in a jesture of malice] causes trouble. A babbling fool will fall.

Who is God but Jehovah? Who is a rock except our God?

Their children were talking half in the language of Ashdod; they had no knowledge of the Jews' language, but made use of the language of the two peoples.

The king had ships going to Tarshish with Huram's sailors. Once every three years the Tarshish ships would bring gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.

A copy of the writing, to be made public in every part of the kingdom, was sent out to all the peoples, so that they might be ready when that day came.

King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. This took place in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign. It happened because all Israel was not loyal to Jehovah.

I got up in the night and took a small band of men with me. I said nothing to any man of what God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem, I had no beast with me but the one on which I was seated.

If the peoples of the lands come to do trade in goods or food on the Sabbath day, that we would do no trade with them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. In the seventh year we would take no payment from any debtor.

He set up the pillars in front of the Temple, one on the right and the other on the left. He named the one on the right Jachin (He Establishes) and the one on the left Boaz (In Him Is Strength).

From the tribe of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred warriors, each famous in his own clan.

A stray arrow wounded the king of Israel a wound where his breastplate was joined to his clothing. He said to the chariot driver: Go to the side. Take me away from the fight for I am badly wounded.

Elijah took twelve stones, the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom Jehovah said: Israel will be your name.

The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.

The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Samuel, heads of their families. During the reign of David, the descendants of Tola listed as fighting men in their genealogy numbered twenty-two thousand six hundred.

and many others fell slain, because the battle was God's. And they occupied the land until the exile.

They will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me.

and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph

When they entered the city, Elisha prayed: Open their eyes and let them see. Jehovah answered his prayer. He restored their sight, and they saw that they were inside Samaria.

His Judean wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. These were the children of Pharaoh's daughter Bithiah, whom Mered had married.

the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

King Solomon and all the people of Israel assembled in front of the Ark and sacrificed a large number of sheep and cattle, too many to count.

Jehovah was angry with Solomon. This is because his heart turned away from Jehovah, the God of Israel, who had twice come to him in a vision.

Absalom said: Will you at least let my brother Amnon come? Why should he? The king asked.

Shimei son of Ela: the territory of Benjamin.

Then Joshua built an altar to Jehovah the God of Israel on mount Ebal,

His high officials were as follows: The priest: Azariah son of Zadok,

You saw with your own eyes the terrible plagues, the miraculous signs, and the amazing things Jehovah did. He used his mighty hand and powerful arm to bring you out. He will do the same thing to all the people who frighten you.

When her master opened the door that morning to go on his way, he found his concubine lying in front of the house with her hands reaching for the door.

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon gathered together. They and all their hosts came before Gibeon and camped. Then they made war against it.

The second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.

Hazarshual, and Beer-sheba, and Bizjothjah,

Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel went with him, to Libnah, and fought against Libnah:

The king of Jericho was told: Men of the children of Israel came here tonight to search out the country.

Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation?

The whole congregation of Israel and the foreigners living among them will be forgiven, because everyone was involved in the mistake.

Never bring any kind of castrated animal received from a foreigner as a food offering for your God. A castrated animal will not be accepted on your behalf because castration is a physical defect.'

This was thirty-eight years after we left Kadesh-Barnea. By that time all the men who had been in the army at Kadesh-Barnea had died, just as Jehovah said they would.

Moses and Aaron did as Jehovah commanded. Aaron raised his staff and struck the Nile in front of Pharaoh and his officials. All the water in the river turned into blood.

He was taken to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation.

Out of all the gifts you receive, you must contribute the best and holiest parts to Jehovah.'

At that same time I will cut off the land of Goshen where my people live. No swarms of flies shall be there. / Then you will know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth.

You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).

It is to be removed from the bull of the sacrifice of peace offerings. The priest is to offer them up in smoke on the altar of burnt offering.

The Scripture he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so he did not open his mouth.

To Gershon belonged the families descended from Libni and Shimei. These were the families descended from Gershon.

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him: Thus says Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.

A third of mankind was killed by these plagues of fire and smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.

In his language, Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha (Witness Pile), but Jacob called it Galeed.

The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

The descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the Law to take tithes from the people. This is from their brothers, for these are descended from Abraham.

Take no extra clothes, not even two coats, no extra shoes or walking stick for the laborer is worthy of his food.

We will do this if God permits.

Fourteen years later I went again to Jerusalem with Barnabas. I took Titus with me also.

This is not by his coming only, but also by the comfort he brought from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me so that I rejoiced yet more.

For Herod captured John and locked him in prison for the sake of Herodias his wife. She was his brother Philip's wife before he married her.

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

It is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his habitation be made desolate and let no man dwell there. Let another take his office.' (Psalm 109:8)

I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.

The disciples of John told him the news.

Jesus said: See these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another. They will all be thrown down.

And herds will lie down in her midst, all the beasts of the nations. The pelican and the porcupine will lodge on the top of her pillars. Their voice will sing (hoot) (croak) in the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds for he will lay bare that which is built with cedar.

I will make the people of Judah like a pan of fire among wood and like a flaming torch among sheaves of grain. They will consume all the peoples on the right hand and on the left all around. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will again dwell in their own place, in Jerusalem.

O Jehovah, to us belongs shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.

Where is the lions den, the feeding-place of young lions? Where have the lion and the lioness walked where none have made them afraid?

The people of Babylon might go up to heaven. They might fortify their strongholds. But destroyers will still come from me against them, declares Jehovah.

I am Jehovah your God. I brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again as you did during your appointed festivals.

It seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.

Concerning those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads, declares the Lord Jehovah.'

You are like a wild donkey accustomed to the desert. You sniff at the wind while in heat. All who seek you will not get tired. They will find you during your monthly period.

As a thief feels ashamed when he is caught, so the nation of Israel will feel ashamed. Their kings, princes, priests, and prophets will also feel ashamed.

Jehovah said to me:

Jehovah has sent a message against (to) Jacob and it will fall on Israel.

He who gives birth to a fool does it to his sorrow because the father of a fool has no joy.

Madmenah has fled; the people of Gebim take cover.

They enter Aiath and they pass through Migron. They store supplies at Micmash.

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. That is the end for all men and the living takes it to heart.

A man will not stand firm on sin. The root of the righteous will not be moved.

They do not sleep unless they have done evil. Their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

Do not plan anything that will hurt your neighbors. They live beside you, trusting you.

The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.

How I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you

Earlier rulers who came before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver. Even their servants were lords over the people. But I did not do so, out of reverence for God.

He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land.

Then it became clear to me that God had not sent him. He spoke prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat paid him money to do so.

Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin came together to Jerusalem before three days were past. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people were seated in the wide square in front of the house of God. They shook with fear because of this business of this business and because of the great rain.

How long will you keep looking at me and let me alone till I swallow my spittle?

So that in the ears of the people the cry of joy was mixed with the sound of weeping. The cries of the people were loud and came to the ears of those who were a long way off.

So they took the bull that was given them, and made it ready. They cried out to Baal from morning till the middle of the day. They said: O Baal, give ear to us. But there was no voice and no answer. They jumped up and down before the altar they had made.

Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

The priests could not go into Jehovah's Temple because Jehovah's glory had filled it.

The children of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four.

The children of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six.

And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, seven and a half feet tall. Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam in his hand. He went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

When I saw among the spoils a quality Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them. I hid them in the earth in the middle of my tent.

He went into the house. Elisha asked him: Where have you been? Oh, nowhere, he answered.

then hear that person in heaven, take action, and make a decision. Repay the guilty person with the proper punishment, but declare the innocent person innocent.

Sibbechai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah said to the Rabshakeh (the commander): Will you kindly make use of the Aramaean language in talking to your servants. We are used to it. Do not use the Jews' language in the hearing of the people on the wall.

Their father Ephraim mourned for them many days, and his relatives came to comfort him.

When the captains of the chariots saw that he was not the king of Israel they withdrew from him.

The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. One of Mered's wives gave birth to Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

The Philistines heard that the Israelites gathered at Mizpah. So the Philistine rulers came to attack Israel. The Israelites heard about the Philistine plan and were afraid of them.

Gideon replied: If you are pleased with me, give me proof that you are really Jehovah.

Everything else that Zimri did, including the account of his conspiracy, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.

So Asa went to rest with his fathers and was buried in the town of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place.

Absalom answered: You did not pay any attention when I sent for you. I want you to ask my father why he told me to come back from Geshur. I was better off there. I want to see my father now! If I am guilty, let him kill me.

He had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by families. The family of Matri (Matrites) was chosen. Then Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. They looked for him but could not find him.

The cook picked up the leg and thigh and laid it in front of Saul. Samuel said: This was set apart for you. Eat it. When I invited people to the feast, I set it aside for you. So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

Saul also went home to Gibeah. With him went some soldiers whose hearts God had touched.

the Philistines called in their priests and fortunetellers, and asked: What should we do with this Ark of Jehovah? Tell us how to send it back where it belongs!

Then for the third straight day they marched against the army of Benjamin. They placed their soldiers in battle position facing Gibeah, as they had done before.

They said: Come and be our commander, so that we can fight the Ammonites.

When we come into the land, tie this scarlet cord in the window from which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers and sisters and your father's entire household into your home.

He said to Moses: Please, do not make us suffer this punishment for our foolish sin.

The people would gather it and then grind it in a hand mill or crush it in a mortar. They would cook it in a pot or make round loaves of bread out of it. It tasted like rich sweet pastry made with oil.

Jehovah your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be able to put an end to them quickly. This is because the wild beasts are too numerous (and will multiply) around you.

By your great love, please forgive these people's sins, as you have forgiven them from the time they left Egypt until now.

I assigned the rest of Gilead and also all of Bashan, where Og had ruled, that is, the entire Argob region to half the tribe of Manasseh. Bashan was known as the land of the Rephaim.

Furthermore, Jehovah was angry with me because of you. So Jehovah your God took an oath that I would not cross the Jordan River and enter the good land he is giving you as your property (inheritance) (possession).

If any of you fail to do your duty by unintentionally doing something wrong with any of Jehovah's holy things, bring a guilt offering to Jehovah. It must be a ram that has no defects or its value in silver weighed according to the official standards of the holy place.

When any food produced there is eaten, some of it is to be set aside as a special contribution to Jehovah.

Water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down.

Pagiel son of Ochran commanded the tribe of Asher.

The roster of families and households for the descendants of Manasseh listed the men by name that were at least twenty years old and eligible for military duty.

Lamech lived a total of seven hundred seventy-seven years, and then he died.

Then Laban answered Jacob: These are my daughters, my grandchildren, and my flocks. Everything you see is mine! Yet, what can I do today for my daughters or for their children?

I write for this purpose, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.

I will strengthen the house of Judah. I will save the house of Joseph and I will bring them back. I will have mercy upon them; and they will be as though I had not cast them off. For I am Jehovah, their God, and I will hear them!

For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.

The angel I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth raised his hand to heaven.

Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

He asked: What do you see? I answered: I see a gold lamp stand, with a bowl on top and seven lamps. There are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top.

Suddenly they saw no one near them except Jesus.

I saw in the vision: I was in Shushan the castle (palace), which is in the province of Elam by the River Ulai.

On that day a person will keep alive a young cow and two sheep.

O you simple ones, understand wisdom and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.

I took up the cause against them, cursing them and giving blows to some of them and pulling out their hair. I made them take an oath by God, saying: You are not to give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.

Do not be in a hurry to talk. Do not be eager to speak in the presence of God. Since God is in heaven and you are on earth, limit the number of your words.

His face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

What does a man get for all his work, and for the desire of his heart with which he has done his work under the sun?

I have a mind as well as you! I am not inferior to you! Who does not know all these things?

He sent a messenger to find out who she was. He learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

From the time when I was made ruler of the people in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year till the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, for twelve years, my servants and I have never taken the food that was the right of the ruler.

Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,

The work Solomon did on Jehovah's Temple was finished. He brought the holy things that had belonged to his father David, the silver, gold, and all the utensils. He put them in the storerooms of God's Temple.

He made two pillars for the front of the Temple. They were fifty-three feet long, and the crown on each pillar was seven and one half feet high.

Your Majesty may now send the wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine he promised the workers.

These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as Jehovah had promised.

Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.

The descendants of Elkanah: Amasai, Ahimoth,

The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

Israel was crushed under the power of Hazael, king of Aram, all the days of Jehoahaz.

Solomon was wiser than the wise men of the East or the wise men of Egypt.

Zacchaeus stood before Jesus and said: Lord, I now give half of all my possessions to the poor. If I have defrauded any one I will give back four times the amount taken.

But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

A man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbors by the word of Jehovah: Give me a wound. But the man would not.

The people of Samaria rushed out and looted the Syrian camp. Just as Jehovah said, ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley were sold for one piece of silver.

Elisha said: Tell me what shall I do for you? What do you have at home? She answered: Except for a small jar of olive oil, I have nothing.

So now, O God of Israel, let your word come true that you promised to my father David, your servant.

God arms me with strength. Your perfect way sets me free.

Geber son of Uri: the region of Gilead, which had been ruled by King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. Besides these twelve, there was one governor over all the land.

The king answered: No, my son. It would be too much trouble for you if we all went. Absalom insisted, but the king would not give in. So he asked Absalom to leave.

They answered: If you return the Ark of the Covenant of the God of Israel, you must send with it a gift (guilt offering) to him to pay for your sin. The Ark must not go back without a gift. In this way you will be healed. You will find out why he continues to punish you.

Their wine is the poison of serpents, and the cruel venom of asps (cobras).

Samuel listened to everything they said. Then he repeated it to Jehovah.

They replied: We agree. Jehovah is our witness.

This filled the priest with joy. He took the sacred objects and went along with them.

The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal saying: Do not abandon your servants. Come to us quickly and save us. Help us for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.

Do not bring an abomination into your house. You must utterly detest it and you must utterly abhor it, for it is something banned.

They said: 'Today Jehovah our God has shown us how powerful and glorious he is. He spoke to us from the fire. We learned that people could live, even though God speaks to them.

On the west their territory extended to the Jordan River, from Lake Galilee in the north down to the Dead Sea in the south and to the foot of (Mount) Pisgah on the east.

Make the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons, and present them as an offering to Jehovah.

These are the names of Aaron's sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.

The people of Ephraim say: We are rich. We have made a fortune. With all this wealth, no one will find us guilty of any sin.

Libni and Shimei were the sons of Gershon. Their families were named after them.

The roster of families and households for the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn son, listed every man by name that was at least twenty years old and eligible for military duty.

When an unclean spirit leaves a man it passes through desolate places. It seeks rest and finds none. It says, 'I will return from where I came.'

The priest will pour some of the olive oil into his own left hand.

Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

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.

He said to them: I have earnestly wanted to eat this Passover with you before I die.

They utter empty words and make false promises and useless treaties. Justice has become injustice, growing like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.

They are like scarecrows in cucumber fields. They cannot speak. They must be carried, for they cannot walk! Do not fear them! For they can do no harm and they can do no good.

the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Jehovah will restore the pride of Jacob just like the pride of Israel. The devastators have emptied them out and destroyed their vine-branches.

He builds his chambers in the heavens. He founded his dome over the earth. He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth. Jehovah is his name.

Because of the greatness he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he chose he killed and whom he chose he kept alive. Whom he chose he raised up, and whom he chose he put down.

I looked at the dome over the heads of the angels. And I saw something that looked like a throne made of sapphire.

My people are fools. They do not know me. They are stupid people. They do not understand. They are experts in doing wrong, and they do not know how to do good.

Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. It is the work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith. Violet and purple are their clothing. They are all the work of skilled men.

I, Daniel, fainted from exhaustion, and was sick for days. Then I rose up, and did the king's business. I wondered about the vision, but none understood it.

But you say: Jehovah's way is unfair. Listen, nation of Israel, is my way fair? Is it your ways that are unfair?

Jehovah is the God of Hosts. Jehovah is the name by which he is remembered.

It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of Jehovah.

That is why the days are coming, declares Jehovah, when I will punish their idols, and those who are wounded will moan everywhere in the land.

You will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea; like one who lies on top of a mast.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

I did not obey the voice of my teachers. I did not listen to my instructors!

Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come and rescue you when you have trouble. You have as many gods as you have cities, Judah!

(Beloved and his Friends) Return, return, O Shulamite return, return, that we may look at you. (The Shulamite) What will you see in the Shulamite? It was the company of two camps.

This is what I have seen. It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. He labors under the sun all the days of his life. For God gives this to him as his allotment (inheritance).

I went in the dark through the gateway of the valley past the Fountain of the Snake (Serpent's Well) as far as the place where waste material was stored. From there I viewed the broken down walls of Jerusalem and the gateways that were burned with fire.

They conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their womb fashions deceit.

A flood will carry off his house. Rushing waters will wash away his possessions on the day of God's wrath.

So the men went out on the quick-running horses used on the king's business. They wasted no time and forced on by the king's order; and the order was given out in Shushan, the king's town.

At Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

And of the sons of Pahath-moab, Adna and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel and Binnui and Manasseh.

Of Israel, the sons of Parosh, Ramiah and Izziah and Malchijah and Mijamin and Eleazar and Malchijah and Benaiah.

And of the Levites, Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah that is Kelita, Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.

Then Solomon went to the coast near Ezion Geber and Elath in Edom.

Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered two hundred and twelve. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had assigned the gatekeepers to their positions of trust.

Do not listen to Hezekiah. The king of Assyria commands you to come out of the city and surrender. Make peace with me and you will be allowed to eat grapes from your own vines and figs from your own trees, and to drink water from your own wells (cisterns).

The remnant in Judah who survives will flourish like plants that send roots deep into the ground and produce fruit.

Jehovah saved me from lions and bears. He will save me from this Philistine. Saul answered: Go and Jehovah be with you.

They seized the livestock of the Hagrites, fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive,

Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

Jokim, the men of Cozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi Lehem. These records are from ancient times.

Elisha told Gehazi: Hurry! Take my walking stick. Do not stop to talk to anyone. If anyone speaks to you do not respond. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy.

But if you turn from my ways, you or your children, and do not keep my orders and my laws which I have put before you, but go and make yourselves servants to other gods and give them worship:

Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.

He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not turn away from the sin which Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, did and made Israel do.

Jehovah, God of Israel, I pray that you will also keep the other promise you made to my father when you told him there would always be one of his descendants ruling as king of Israel, provided they obeyed you as carefully as he did.

Do not bear false witness against another man.

He was trouble to Israel all through the days of Solomon. This is the damage Hadad did: he was cruel to Israel while he was ruler over Edom.

David defeated the king of the Syrian state of Zobah, Hadadezer son of Rehob. Hadadezer was on his way to restore his control over the territory by the upper Euphrates River.

The next day Saul arranged the army in three divisions. They came into the Ammonite camp during the morning hours. They continued to defeat the Ammonites until it got hot that day. The survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Solomon sent this message to Hiram:

Jehovah, when you left the mountains of Seir, when you came out of Edom, the earth shook, and rain fell from the sky. Yes, water poured out of the clouds.

Bathsheba said: Indeed, I will make your request to the king.

Abner told David: I must go now so that I can gather all Israel for you, Your Majesty. They will make an agreement with you. You will rule over all that your heart desires. Then David dismissed Abner, who left peacefully.

She too was dying. The women helping her said: Do not be afraid. You have given birth to a son. But she did not answer or pay attention.

Praise Jehovah! The Israelites were determined to fight. The people gladly volunteered.

When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?'

The people of Reuben and Gad said: This altar is a witness to all of us that Jehovah is God. Therefore they named it witness.

They killed all the people there with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them. None were left alive. He burned Hazor with fire.

Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not be afraid because of them! About this time tomorrow I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You must hamstring their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear them. I have delivered them into your hands. Not one man of them will stand before you.

I am Jehovah your God. I have promised you their land that is rich with milk and honey. I have chosen you to be different from other people.

I assigned Gilead to the clan of Machir of the tribe of Manasseh.

Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs.

There was a judge in a city that did not fear God and had no respect for man.

The descendants of Bela through Ard and Naaman were the family of Ard and the family of Naaman.

Then we crossed the Zered River Valley just as Jehovah told us to do.

He also brought a gold dish that weighed four ounces, filled with incense;

Mahli and Mushi were the sons of Merari. Their families were named after them. These were the households of Levite families.

They will be destroyed among the nations. The land of their enemies will devour them.

If you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.

Beyond the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place.

Gershon, Kohath, and Merari were the sons of Levi.

But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will afflict your whole territory with frogs.

You will live by your sword. You will serve your brother. Soon you will become restless and break his yoke from your neck.

The next day he called his disciples to choose from them twelve, whom he named apostles (ambassadors) (messengers):

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.

If you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law.

What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.

Amos told Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son. I was a herdsman, and a grower of sycamore figs.

Travel to Calneh and observe. From there go to the great Hamath. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better off than these kingdoms? Is their territory greater than your territory?

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician (healer) there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?

It will sweep through Judah. It will overflow and pass through. It will be neck-high. Its outspread wings will extend over your entire country, O Immanuel.

In his anger Jehovah covered Zion with clouds of darkness. He changed its heavenly splendor into ruins. On the day of his anger he abandoned even his footstool.

Only if this covenant is removed, declares Jehovah, will Israel's descendants stop being a nation in my presence.

Do they spite me? Asks Jehovah. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?

Ezra the priest brought the law to the meeting of the people. They were all able to listen to it. It was the first day of the seventh month.

In the morning sow your seed. In the evening do not withhold your hand. For you do not know which shall prosper. Whether they both will alike be good.

They long for death that does not come. They search for it more than for hidden treasure.

You must follow the example of good people and live a righteous life.

Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways just as the light is better than the dark.

Another dies an angry being, never having tasted of good.

Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his rule.

He will not allow me to catch my breath. Yet he fills me with bitterness.

By his side was working Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the division of Beth-zur, as far as the place opposite the last resting-places of David's family and as far as the pool that had been made and the house of the men of war.

King Solomon offered twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep as sacrifices to Jehovah. Thus the king and all the people dedicated God's Temple.

They were united with their brothers, their rulers, and put themselves under a curse and an oath, to keep their steps in the way of God's law, which was given by Moses, the servant of God, and to keep and do all the orders of the Jehovah, our Lord, and his decisions and his rules.

The rest of the acts of Solomon from first to last are written in the records of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah from Shiloh, and in Iddo the seer's visions about Jeroboam son of Nebat.

The priests were standing at their posts. So were the Levites who had Jehovah's musical instruments that King David made for praising Jehovah. They were saying: his mercy endures forever. This he used to offer praise. The priests were opposite the Levites blowing trumpets while all Israel was standing there.

When the Ark of Jehovah's Covenant came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, so she despised him.

David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.

David said: Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.

David captured seventeen hundred of his cavalry and twenty thousand of his foot soldiers. He kept enough horses for a hundred chariots and crippled (hamstrung) all the rest.

Then he lay with his wife again, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. He named him Beriah, because there had been misfortune in his family.

but have come back, and have taken food and water in this place where he said you were to take no food or water; your dead body will not be put to rest with your fathers.'

The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel.

Jehoash son of Jehoahaz captured again from Benhadad, the son of Hazael, the towns he had taken from Jehoahaz, his father, in war. Three times Jehoash defeated him and recovered the towns of Israel.

but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away. Elisha said: Do not bother her. You can see she is deeply distressed. Jehovah has not told me a thing about it.

She called her husband and said to him: Send a servant here with a donkey. I need to go to the prophet Elisha. I will be back as soon as I can.

Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled. When the boy was five years old, the news about the death of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled to Gittaim. She was in a hurry when she left. He fell from her arms and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.

There were five hundred and fifty officials in charge of the forced labor working on Solomon's various building projects.

Solomon did not make slaves of Israelites. They served as his soldiers, officers, commanders, chariot captains, and cavalry.

Then the Sudanese messenger came. Good news for Your Majesty! He said. Today Jehovah freed you from all who turned against you.

Jehovah came to him again in a vision just as he had done at Gibeon.

The ends of the poles could be seen by anyone standing directly in front of the Most Holy Place, but from nowhere else.

His twelve governors supplied the food King Solomon needed for all who ate in the palace. They always supplied everything needed, each one in the month assigned.

Do not steal.

You will make no covenant with people of this land. You will throw down their altars. You have not obeyed my voice. Why have you done this?

Jehovah told him: Peace. Do not be afraid. You will not die.

High Priest, properly ordained and consecrated to succeed his father, is to perform the ritual of purification. He must dress in priestly garments

The people asked Jehovah: Should we go to battle against our brothers the Benjaminites again, or should we cease? Jehovah answered: Fight. Tomorrow I will give you victory over them.

Your clothes did not wear out! And your feet did not swell these past forty years.

The men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They became united as one and stood on the top of a hill.

They called out to Jonathan and the young man: Come up here! We have something to tell you! Jonathan said to the young man: Follow me, for Jehovah gives Israel victory over them.

If it is the High Priest who sins and brings guilt on the people, he should present a young bull without any defects and sacrifice it to Jehovah for his sin.

Jehovah will scatter you among the nations. You will become few in number among the heathen, where Jehovah will lead you.

After Jephthah, Ibzan from Bethlehem led Israel.

But avoid worldly and empty discussion, for it will lead to further ungodliness.

The boundary of the Amorites was from the Ascent to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

Suddenly, Jehovah said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam: All three of you come to the tent of meeting. So all three of them went to the tent.

In Jehovah's presence he will sprinkle some of the oil with his right finger seven times.

He prayed to Jehovah: I pray to you, O Jehovah, was this what I said, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish. Because I knew that you are a gracious God. You are merciful, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness, and one who takes pity over calamity (tragedy) (catastrophe) (disaster).

Ahira son of Enan commanded the tribe of Naphtali.

Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel, Aaron's uncle. He said: Come here and carry your cousins' bodies away from the sacred tent and put them outside the camp.

Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.

He who is joined to the Lord is one (united with him in) spirit.

David spoke concerning him: 'I had Jehovah always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

Remove the two kidneys with the fat on them along with the lobe of the liver.

I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12)

make it be that the maiden who comes out to draw, and to whom I say, Please let me drink a little water from your jar,

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;

I should boast a great deal concerning the authority the Lord gave us to build you up, and not to tear you down, I would not be put to shame.

Therefore, when you see all these things, you will know he is near, even at the door.

I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal. But the word of God is not imprisoned.

The Pharisees saw it and said to him: Your disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.

He talked with him and went in to find many people gathered.

I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.

In that day, said Jehovah, I will strike every horse with terror and his rider with madness! I will watch the house of Judah. Every horse of the people will be struck with blindness.

Little children I am with you for a little while. You will seek me and as I told the Jews now I say to you, where I go, you cannot come.

It happened when they quit eating the grass of the land. I said, O Lord Jehovah, forgive, I entreat you: how shall Jacob stand? Since he is so small.

The Spirit lifted me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God to the exiles in Chaldea. So the vision that I had seen left me.

For I will be to Ephraim as a lion. And I will be like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away. I will carry off and there will be none to deliver.

The vision told about the evenings and mornings is true: but seal up the vision. It belongs to the future.

Double-pronged hooks, three inches long, were attached to the wall all around the room, and the tables were for the meat of the animals.

In this way they may walk in my statutes and obey my ordinances. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God.

The people will think it is false divination and not believe this because they have made treaties with other nations. But the king of Babylon will remind them of their sins, and they will be captured.

Now then, you inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, judge between my vineyard and me!

The lips of an immoral woman drip as a honeycomb. Her mouth is smoother than oil.

These are the living creatures that I saw under the God of Israel at the Chebar River. I realized that they were angels (cherubs).

Then say to the people of the land: 'The Lord Jehovah says concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel, They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with horror, because their land will be stripped of its fullness on account of the violence of all who live in it.

You let the guilty go free for a bribe and you keep the innocent from getting justice.

signet rings, nose rings,

Their quiver is like an open grave. All of them are mighty men.

Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

This will keep you from the evil woman and from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman.

I see there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works. That is his portion. Who will bring him to see what will happen after him?

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.

A man is commended according to his wisdom. He with a perverse heart will be despised.

Father taught me. He said: Remember my words in your heart. Obey my commandments and live.

You save humble people, but you humiliate the proud.

Jehovah is righteous. He loves a righteous way of life. Upright people will see his face (contemplate his presence).

So David sent messengers to get her. She came to him and they had sexual intercourse. She had just cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she went home.

because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silent and did not go out of doors.

Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

Esther was more pleasing to the king than all the women. To his eyes she was fairer and more full of grace than all the other virgins. So he put his crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

They are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave.

Then I said to them: You see what a bad condition we are in. How Jerusalem is a waste. It's gateways burned with fire. Come; let us get to work, building up the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer be put to shame.

Your enemies will be clothed in shame. The tents of the wicked will be no more.

Whatever the God of heaven orders let it be done completely for the house of the God of heaven. Let there not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons.

The priests and the Levites made themselves clean; and they made the people clean, and the gateways and the wall.

So the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the Temple of Jehovah.

O JEHOVAH, YOU ARE GOD! You have promised these good things to your servant.

Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

Still the heat of Jehovah's anger was not turned back from Judah. This is because of all Manasseh had done in moving him to anger.

One of them was cutting down a tree when suddenly his ax head fell in the water. It was a borrowed ax, he exclaimed to Elisha. What will I do?

Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas the father of Abishua,

and were placed on a rounded section which was above the chain design. There were two hundred pomegranates in two rows around each crown.

The descendants of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah and Shaul;

The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan and Tilon. The descendants of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.

Amon his son, Josiah his son.

When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled on the road leading to Beth Haggan. Jehu pursued him and ordered: Shoot him down in his chariot. They shot him at Gur Pass, near Ibleam. Ahaziah continued to flee until he got to Megiddo, where he died.

Each had two wings, each wing was seven and one half feet long. The distance from one wing tip to the other was fifteen feet.

Elisha told the king that by that time the following day ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley would be sold in Samaria for one piece of silver.

Absalom has fled. The servant keeping the watch looked outside. He saw many people coming down the road beside the mountain west of him.

Ahimaaz spoke to Joab again: No matter what happens, I still want to run. The Ethiopian has already left. Joab said: Why should you run? You will not get a reward for the news you have!

Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. You can tell them everything you hear in the palace.

Please bless my descendants and let them be your chosen kings for a very long time. You have already promised, and I am sure that you will bless my family from generation to generation.

That day they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, but the people were thoroughly exhausted.

The servant responded: There's a man of God in this city, a highly respected man. Everything he says is sure to happen. Let us go there. Maybe he will tell us which way we should go.

Eli's daughter-in-law the wife of Phinehas was pregnant. It was almost time for her baby to be born. When she heard that God's Ark of the Covenant was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she suddenly went into labor and gave birth.

The men sampled their provisions but did not ask for counsel from Jehovah.

Some donkeys belonging to Kish wandered off. He said to Saul: Take one of the servants with you and look for the donkeys.

With his left hand Ehud took the sword from his right side and plunged it into the king's belly.

Jephthah went with the leaders of Gilead. The people made him their ruler and leader. Jephthah stated his terms at Mizpah in Jehovah's presence.

Jephthah said: If you take me back home to fight the Ammonites and Jehovah gives me victory, will I be your ruler?

When a woman gives birth to a girl, she will be unclean as in her monthly period. She will be unclean for two weeks. Then she must stay at home for sixty-six days in order to be made clean from her bleeding.

He tore down the tower at Penuel. He also killed the men of that city.

Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-palet,

He wrote on the tablets, like the former writing. It was the Ten Commandments (Ten Words) that Jehovah proclaimed to you on the mountain. It was from the middle of the fire on the day of the assembly. Jehovah gave them to me.

Obey every commandment I command you today. Then you may be strong and go in and possess the land you will cross over to possess.

These are the kings of the country that Joshua and the children of Israel conquered on this side of the Jordan on the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even to Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir; which Joshua gave to the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;

The priest will then take holy water in a piece of pottery and put some dust from the floor of the tent into the water.

I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you shattered. You must place them in the Ark.'

But all of you who were faithful to Jehovah your God are still alive today.

The springs of the deep and the floodgates of the skies were closed. So the rain stopped falling from the sky.

The one to be cleansed must take one of the mourning doves or pigeons, the one he can afford,

They told the woman: We believe because of what you said and we heard him ourselves. We know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world!

John traveled in the region near the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron:

Jehovah spoke to Moses:

Your houses shall be filled and the houses of all your servants and the houses of all the Egyptians. This is something neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day that they came upon the earth until this day. He turned and went out from Pharaoh.'

The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

No one in heaven, on earth or under the earth was able to open the book and look inside.

Jesus told them: You would all be turned away from me. It is written, I will put the keeper of the sheep to death, and the sheep will be put to flight.

Then Jehovah said to Moses: Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that my signs will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.

When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. He drew near to look at it and the voice of Jehovah came to him.

It will happen in that day that the mountains will drop sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the brooks of Judah will flow with water. A fountain will come forth from the house of Jehovah and water the valley of Shittim.

Look! Your soldiers are like women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies. Fire will destroy the bars of your gates.

You will be burned to death or killed in battle. You will be devoured like crops eaten by locusts. You grew in number like locusts!

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him. Remember from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.

The Lord Jehovah showed me and, behold, the Lord Jehovah called for judgement (contention) by fire and it devoured the great deep. It would have eaten up the land.

I am like a moth to Ephraim and to the house of Judah as rottenness.

If righteous people turn from living the right way and do wrong, I will make them stumble and they will die. If you do not warn them, they will die because of their sin. The right things they did will not be remembered. I will hold you responsible for their deaths.

You his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you know all this.

I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures touching one another and the noise of the wheels beside them as well as a loud rumbling.

The visions your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish! They have not made you fully aware of your sin so your fate might be changed. They have seen for you false words, driving you away.

He will carry captive into Egypt their gods, with their molten images, and with their valuable vessels of silver and of gold. He will stand off some years from the king of the north.

the birds, the fish, whatever swims in the currents of the seas.

whose leaves were beautiful and fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens lived:

I went to Tel Abib, to the exiles that lived by the Chebar River. I sat there among them for seven days. I was stunned among them.

Jehovah says: If you come back, Israel, if you come back to me, if you take your disgusting idols out of my sight and you do not stray from me,

Lift up your eyes to the bare hills and see. You have had sex with men in every place. You sat by the roadside waiting for them like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled (corrupted) (profaned) the land with your prostitution and wickedness.

I send him against a godless nation. I commission him against the people of my fury to capture booty and to seize plunder, and to trample them down like mud (clay) in the streets.

Because oppressed people are robbed and needy people groan, I will now arise, says Jehovah. I will provide safety for those who long for it.

Truly the sound from the hills and mountains is the noise of false worship. Truly Jehovah our God will be our salvation.

When that time comes, the fine vineyards, each with a thousand vines and each worth a thousand pieces of silver, will be overgrown with thorn bushes and briers.

They will give so much milk that he will have all he needs. Yes, the few survivors left in the land will have milk and honey to eat.

I was very near total ruin in the midst of the congregation.

Very soon my anger against you will end and my wrath will be directed to their destruction.

The wicked are overthrown and are no more. The house of the righteous will stand.

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Shaking out the folds of my robe, I said: So, may God send out from his house and his work every man who does not keep this agreement. Even so let him be sent out and made as nothing. All the people said: Amen! They praised Jehovah. The people did as they said.

Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?

In famine he will save you from death, and in war he will save you from the sword.

I am with disturbing thoughts from visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on people.