Then they said, "We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as you say." Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.

You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, 'There is a king in Judah.' Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."

For they all would have made us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, strengthen my hands."

I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, "Let us meet together in God's house, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you."

I said, "Should such a man as I flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in."

and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the mountain, and get olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written."

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the wave offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, to the rooms, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers, and the singers. We will not forsake the house of our God.

Then I testified against them, and said to them, "Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on, they did not come on the Sabbath.

For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands, when it is reported, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she did not come.'

Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's deed will tell all the king's officials. This will cause much contempt and wrath.

When the king's decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small."

If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries."

Then Mordecai asked them return answer to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that you will escape in the king's house any more than all the Jews.

For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows if you haven't come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

"Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish."

If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said."

Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him."

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, "Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?" As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face."

Satan answered the LORD, and said, "Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face."

"If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

"Call now; is there any who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

He will deliver you in six troubles; yes, in seven there shall no evil touch you.

In famine he will redeem you from death; in war, from the power of the sword.

Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

"Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

"Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."

"How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

"Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.

He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

Behold, he snatches away. Who can hinder him? Who will ask him, 'What are you doing?'

"God will not withdraw his anger. The helpers of Rahab stoop under him.

He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.

If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty. If of justice, 'Who,' says he, 'will summon me?'

If the scourge kills suddenly, he will mock at the trial of the innocent.

If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and cheer up;'

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that you will not hold me innocent.

yet you will plunge me in the ditch. My own clothes shall abhor me.

"My soul is weary of my life. I will give free course to my complaint. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

I will tell God, 'Do not condemn me. Show me why you contend with me.

Remember, I beg you, that you have fashioned me as clay. Will you bring me into dust again?

if I sin, then you mark me. You will not acquit me from my iniquity.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

"Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

"Only do not do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face:

Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.

Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

"For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender branch of it will not cease.

yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.

"I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare:

"Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?

"How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.

"How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?

If indeed you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach;

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth.

If you say, 'How we will persecute him.' because the root of the matter is found in me,

though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth;

He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.

When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.

Allow me, and I also will speak; After I have spoken, mock on.

Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men shall keep watch over the tomb.

Will you keep the old way, which wicked men have trodden,

Shaddai will be your treasure, and precious silver to you.

For then you will delight yourself in Shaddai, and shall lift up your face to God.

You shall make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You shall pay your vows.

When they cast down, you shall say, 'be lifted up.' He will save the humble person.

He will even deliver him who is not innocent. Yes, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of your hands."

Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food. The wilderness yields them bread for their children.

If it isn't so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech worth nothing?"

Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?

Will he delight himself in Shaddai, and call on God at all times?

I will teach you about the hand of God. That which is with Shaddai will I not conceal.

For I know that you will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.

Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'

for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

Please do not let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

"Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."

For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert justice.

Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty??

"For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'