Whenever the king entered the Lord’s temple, the royal escorts would carry the shields and take them back to the royal escorts’ armory.

Whoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel would be put to death, young or old, man or woman.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, the king, and the people that they would be the Lord’s people.

Nevertheless, He sent them prophets to bring them back to the Lord; they admonished them, but the people would not listen.

As for the men of the division that Amaziah sent back so they would not go with him into battle, they raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth-horon, struck down 3,000 of their people, and took a great deal of plunder.

But Amaziah would not listen, for this turn of events was from God in order to hand them over to their enemies because they went after the gods of Edom.

In addition, they distributed it to males registered by genealogy three years old and above; to all who would enter the Lord’s temple for their daily duty, for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions.

But God was watching over the Jewish elders. These men wouldn’t stop them until a report was sent to Darius, so that they could receive written instructions about this matter.

They also delivered the king’s edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates, so that they would support the people and the house of God.

should we break Your commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit these detestable practices? Wouldn’t You become so angry with us that You would destroy us, leaving no survivors?

Whoever did not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions, according to the decision of the leaders and elders, and would be excluded from the assembly of the exiles.

The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of those who would be doing the work.

Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!”

He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.

You warned them to turn back to Your law,
but they acted arrogantly
and would not obey Your commands.
They sinned against Your ordinances,
which a person will live by if he does them.
They stubbornly resisted,
stiffened their necks, and would not obey.

You were patient with them for many years,
and Your Spirit warned them through Your prophets,
but they would not listen.
Therefore, You handed them over to the surrounding peoples.

When they were in their kingdom,
with Your abundant goodness that You gave them,
and in the spacious and fertile land You set before them,
they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.

When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the palace.

She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.

The entire royal staff at the King’s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

When they had warned him day after day and he still would not listen to them, they told Haman to see if Mordecai’s actions would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.

Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king wants to honor?”

Haman thought to himself, “Who is it the king would want to honor more than me?”

For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn’t be worth burdening the king.”

King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the house of wine drinking, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth, Haman’s face was covered.

For how could I bear to see the disaster that would come on my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my relatives?”

This would take place on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar.

the Jews bound themselves, their descendants, and all who joined with them to a commitment that they would not fail to celebrate these two days each and every year according to the written instructions and according to the time appointed.

His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought: Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice.

Now I would certainly be lying down in peace;
I would be asleep.
Then I would be at rest

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God
and would present my case to Him.

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas!
That is why my words are rash.

If only my request would be granted
and God would provide what I hope for:

that He would decide to crush me,
to unleash His power and cut me off!

It would still bring me comfort,
and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child
and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

But now, please look at me;
would I lie to your face?

While still uncut shoots,
they would dry up quicker than any other plant.

If He passes by me, I wouldn’t see Him;
if He goes right by, I wouldn’t recognize Him.

If I summoned Him and He answered me,
I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said.

Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;
if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.

I would still live in terror of all my pains.
I know You will not acquit me.

Then I would speak and not fear Him.
But that is not the case; I am on my own.

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if I sin, You would notice,
and would not acquit me of my wrongdoing.

But if only God would speak
and declare His case against you,

He would show you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom has two sides.
Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin.

If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!

Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for Him?

Would you show partiality to Him
or argue the case in His defense?

Would it go well if He examined you?
Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?

Surely He would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.

Would God’s majesty not terrify you?
Would His dread not fall on you?

If only You would hide me in Sheol
and conceal me until Your anger passes.
If only You would appoint a time for me
and then remember me.

When a man dies, will he come back to life?
If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle
until my relief comes.

You would call, and I would answer You.
You would long for the work of Your hands.

For then You would count my steps
but would not take note of my sin.

My rebellion would be sealed up in a bag,
and You would cover over my iniquity.

If you were in my place I could also talk like you.
I could string words together against you
and shake my head at you.

Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth,
and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.

If you really want to appear superior to me
and would use my disgrace as evidence against me,

I know your thoughts very well,
the schemes you would wrong me with.

Who would denounce his behavior to his face?
Who would repay him for what he has done?

I would plead my case before Him
and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn how He would answer me;
and understand what He would say to me.

Would He prosecute me forcefully?
No, He will certainly pay attention to me.

Then an upright man could reason with Him,
and I would escape from my Judge forever.

I would be as I was in the days of my youth
when God’s friendship rested on my tent,

But now they mock me,
men younger than I am,
whose fathers I would have refused to put
with my sheep dogs.

Yet no one would stretch out his hand
against a ruined man
when he cries out to him for help
because of his distress.

For what portion would I have from God above,
or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?

For that would be a disgrace;
it would be a crime deserving punishment.

For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon;
it would destroy my entire harvest.

this would also be a crime deserving punishment,
for I would have denied God above.

because I greatly feared the crowds,
and the contempt of the clans terrified me,
so I grew silent and would not go outside?

I would surely carry it on my shoulder
and wear it like a crown.

I would give Him an account of all my steps;
I would approach Him like a prince.

For I do not know how to give such titles;
otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

But if you have something to say, answer me;
speak, for I would like to justify you.

Would I lie about my case?
My wound is incurable,
though I am without transgression.”

every living thing would perish together
and mankind would return to the dust.

Would the wild ox be willing to serve you?
Would it spend the night by your feeding trough?

Can you depend on it because its strength is great?
Would you leave it to do your hard work?

Would you really challenge My justice?
Would you declare Me guilty to justify yourself?

He leaves a shining wake behind him;
one would think the deep had gray hair!

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

wouldn’t God have found this out,
since He knows the secrets of the heart?

If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and everything in it is Mine.

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.

“Here is the man
who would not make God his refuge,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
taking refuge in his destructive behavior.”

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of His people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

I said, “If only I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and find rest.

How far away I would flee;
I would stay in the wilderness.Selah

I would hurry to my shelter
from the raging wind and the storm.”

If I had been aware of malice in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.

Those who hate me without cause
are more numerous than the hairs of my head;
my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me,
are powerful.
Though I did not steal, I must repay.

If I had decided to say these things aloud,
I would have betrayed Your people.

Then they would not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not loyal
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Listen, My people, and I will admonish you.
Israel, if you would only listen to Me!

If only My people would listen to Me
and Israel would follow My ways,