Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

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, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.

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 Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

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.

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

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.

And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

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 thereon.

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.

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.

As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto 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.

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 eschewed evil.

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up 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 unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

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 unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

But he said unto 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.

Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?

By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

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!

O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

Whilst it is yet in his 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.

Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

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 cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?

For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.

Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.

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?

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

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

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.

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

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.

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

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.

Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood: