Then when the Lord your God brings you to the land he promised your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you -- a land with large, fine cities you did not build,

He enabled him to travel over the high terrain of the land, and he ate of the produce of the fields. He provided honey for him from the cliffs, and olive oil from the hardest of rocks,

When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his house like that of the king. Nabal was having a good time and was very intoxicated. She told him absolutely nothing until morning's light.

For he knows no satisfaction in his appetite; he does not let anything he desires escape.

For the waywardness of the simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.

You must recognize the authority of the Lord who commands armies. He is the one you must respect; he is the one you must fear.

But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.

A recompence

I will get revenge and pay them back at the time their foot slips; for the day of their disaster is near, and the impending judgment is rushing upon them!"

Pay them back for their evil deeds! Pay them back for what they do! Punish them!

He repays them for what they have done, dispensing angry judgment to his adversaries and punishing his enemies. He repays the coastlands.

"Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and then not deliver it?" asks the Lord. "Or do I bring a baby to the point of delivery and then hold it back?" asks your God.

For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty,

General references

But to this very day the Lord has not given you an understanding mind, perceptive eyes, or discerning ears!

(They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.)