A song of ascents, by Solomon. If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain. If the Lord does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold guiltless anyone who takes his name in vain.

When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise.

The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood, but the words of the upright will deliver them.

if you have been ensnared by the words you have uttered, and have been caught by the words you have spoken,

The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.

But you, son of man, do not fear them, and do not fear their words -- even though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions -- do not fear their words and do not be terrified of the looks they give you, for they are a rebellious house!

Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.

Moses came and told the people all the Lord's words and all the decisions. All the people answered together, "We are willing to do all the words that the Lord has said,"

The Lord said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

"Go, seek an oracle from the Lord for me and the people -- for all Judah. Find out about the words of this scroll that has been discovered. For the Lord's fury has been ignited against us, because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this scroll by doing all that it instructs us to do."

Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?

he said to them, "Keep in mind all the words I am solemnly proclaiming to you today; you must command your children to observe carefully all the words of this law.

His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords.

Your sons and daughters will be given to another people while you look on in vain all day, and you will be powerless to do anything about it.

Now David had been thinking, "In vain I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the desert. I didn't take anything from him. But he has repaid my good with evil.

If I am guilty, why then weary myself in vain?

I concluded, "Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.

It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.

I have not spoken in secret, in some hidden place. I did not tell Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain!' I am the Lord, the one who speaks honestly, who makes reliable announcements.

But I thought, "I have worked in vain; I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing." But the Lord will vindicate me; my God will reward me.

They will not work in vain, or give birth to children that will experience disaster. For the Lord will bless their children and their descendants.

(Ayin) Our eyes continually failed us as we looked in vain for help. From our watchtowers we watched for a nation that could not rescue us.

"'When she realized that she waited in vain, her hope was lost. She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.