Hezekiah gave an order to prepare storerooms in the LORD's Temple, and so they did.

Hezekiah did this throughout all of Judah, and he acted well, doing what the LORD his God considered to be right and true.

But Hezekiah humbled himself while he was arrogant in heart, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem joined him in this. As a result, the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during Hezekiah's lifetime.

Hezekiah stopped up the upper outlet of the Gihon springs and diverted them down to the western side of the City of David. He prospered in everything he did.

But he practiced what the LORD considered to be evil by behaving detestably, as did the nations whom the LORD expelled in front of the Israelis.

He burned his sons as an offering in the Ben-hinnom Valley, practiced fortune-telling, witchcraft, sorcery, and communicated with mediums and separatists. He did a lot of things that the LORD considered to be evil, thus provoking him.

The workmen did their duties faithfully with these foremen supervising them: Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Levi who were Merari's sons, Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath, and various descendants of Levi, who were skilled musicians.

They set aside in reserve the burnt offerings, so they could distribute them in proportion to the divisions of their ancestral households for presentation by the people to the LORD, as is required by the book of Moses. They did this with respect to the bulls, also.

The singers, as descendants of Asaph, remained at their stations as David, Asaph, Heman, and the king's seer Jeduthun required, and the gatekeepers did not have to leave their posts because their descendant of Levi relatives prepared the Passover for them.

There had not been a Passover celebration like it in Israel since Samuel the prophet was alive, nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated a Passover like Josiah did at that time with the priests, the descendants of Levi, everyone from Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

But he sent messengers to him, who asked him, "What do we have in common, King of Judah? I am not here today opposing you. I am fighting the dynasty that is fighting me, and God has ordered me to hurry. For your own good, stop interfering with God, who is with me, and he won't destroy you!"

The rest of Jehoiakim's accomplishments along with the detestable things that he did that were recorded in his disfavor are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. His son Jehoiachin became king to replace him.

As a result, work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem ceased and did not begin again until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.

DATE: First year of Cyrus the King FROM: King Cyrus SUBJECT: The Temple of God in Jerusalem

"My God, I am too ashamed and hurt to turn to you, because we're in our iniquities over our heads. Furthermore, my God, our sins have grown as high as the heavens. We have lived in great sin from the days of our ancestors even until today, and because of those iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered over to foreign kings, for execution, for captivity, for plunder, and for humiliation, as is the case today.

LORD God of Israel, you are just: As a result, we remain here today delivered. Look at us! Because of our sin, we cannot stand in your presence as a result of everything that has happened."

So those who had returned from exile did this. Ezra the priest and leaders of certain ancestral groups listed by name devoted themselves to examine the situation on the first day of the tenth month.

please turn your attention to observe carefully and listen to the prayer of your servant today that I am presenting to you day and night on behalf of your servants, the Israelis.

"And now, Lord, I ask you to listen to the prayer of your servant and to the prayers of your servants who delight in revering your Name. I ask you, please prosper your servant today by granting him to receive favor from this man." Now I was the king's senior security advisor.

The local officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done I informed neither the Judeans, nor the priests, nor the nobles, nor the officials, nor any of the rest who would be doing the work.

Men from Jericho did repairs next to him, and Imri's son Zaccur did repairs next to them.

Next to him, Hur's son Rephaiah, ruling official for half of the Jerusalem district, did repairs.

Then next to them, Harumaph's son Jedaiah did repairs opposite his house, and next to him Hashabneiah's son Hattush carried on repairs.

and next to him Hallohesh's son Shallum, ruling official for the other half of the Jerusalem district, did repairs, as did his daughters.

Next to him the descendants of Levi, led by Bani's son Rehum, carried on repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, ruling official for half of the Keilah district, did repairs for his district.

Then next to them, Immer's son Zadok did repairs as far as his own house. Next to him, Shecaniah's son Shemaiah, custodian of the East Gate, carried on repairs.

So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge that you've assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil."

Nevertheless, the former governors before me placed a heavy burden on the people. They received food and wine, plus a tax of 40 shekels of silver. Even their young men took advantage of the people, but I never did so because I feared God.

I appointed my brother Hanani and fortress commander Hananiah to be over Jerusalem, since he was a faithful person who revered God more than many others did.

They would not listen, and did not remember the miracles you did among them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return them to their slavery. "But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in gracious love; therefore you did not abandon them.

You, in your great compassion, did not abandon them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud did not leave them in daylight, in order to provide light for them on the path they took. Nor did the pillar of fire abandon them at night, in order to provide light for them and lead them on the path they took.

You sustained them in the wilderness for 40 years. They lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.

You admonished them to return to your Law, but they acted arrogantly, and would not listen to your commands. They sinned against your regulations, which if anyone obeys, he will live by them. They turned away, being stubborn and stiff-necked, and they did not listen.

Nevertheless, in your great compassion you did not completely destroy them or abandon them, because you are a God of grace and you are merciful.

But they in their kingdom in the midst of your great goodness that you gave them and in the large and fertile land that you provided them did not serve you or turn away from their evil deeds.

"Look! Today we are your servants, along with the land that you gave to our ancestors, so they could enjoy its fruit and its value behold, in it we are your servants!

Then the two choirs assembled in the Temple of God, as did I, along with half of the officials who accompanied me,

because they did not greet the Israelis with food and water, but instead hired Balaam to oppose them by cursing them, even though our God turned the curse into a blessing.

The king inquired, "According to law, what should be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the order of King Ahasuerus that was delivered by the eunuchs?"

This seemed like a good idea to the king and his officials, so the king did what Memucan suggested.

Then let the young woman who pleases the king rule in place of Vashti." This advice pleased the king, and he did this.

Esther did not make known her people or heritage because Mordecai had instructed her not to make it known.

Now Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who had been Mordecai's uncle. Mordecai had taken Esther in as his own daughter. When her turn came to go in to the king, she did not want anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch in charge of the harem, advised. Esther found favor with everyone who saw her.

Now Esther had not declared her heritage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her, for Esther did what Mordecai told her just as she had done when she was raised by him.

Then Mordecai left and did everything that Esther had ordered him.

Esther replied, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I've prepared for him."

Haman went out that day pleased and happy, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand up and tremble in his presence, Haman was furious with Mordecai.

The Jewish people struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did with their enemies as they pleased.

the ten sons of Hammedatha's son Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people, but they did not lay their hands on the spoils.

Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it also be granted to the Jewish people in Susa to do tomorrow what the edict allowed them to do today, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on poles."

The Jewish people in Susa assembled again on that day, the fourteenth of Adar, and they killed 300 people in Susa, but they did not lay their hands on the spoils.

The rest of the Jewish people in the king's provinces assembled to defend themselves, and they gained relief from their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them. But they did not lay their hands on the spoils.

They did this on the thirteenth day of Adar and rested on the fourteenth day, making it a day of feasting and joy.

When their time of feasting had concluded, Job would rise early in the morning to send for them and consecrate them to God. He would offer a burnt offering for each one, because Job thought, "Perhaps my children sinned by cursing God in their hearts." Job did this time and again.

But he replied to her, "You're talking like foolish women do. Are we to accept what is good from God but not tragedy?" Throughout all of this, Job did not sin by what he said.

When did I ever ask you for anything, say "Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?'

Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind?

So why did you bring me out from the womb? I wish I had died, before anyone had seen me,

"I'm still complaining bitterly today; my hand is heavy because of groaning.

"The ghosts of the dead writhe under the waters along with those who live there with them.

Abaddon and death said, "We did hear a rumor about it.'

He regards iron like straw, and hardened bronze like a dead tree.

After these words had been spoken by the LORD to Job, the LORD spoke to Eliphaz from Teman: "My anger is burning against you along with your two friends, since you haven't spoken correctly about me, as did my servant Job.

So take seven bulls and seven rams and bring them to my servant Job. And bring a whole burnt offering for yourselves and my servant Job will pray for you. I'll encourage him by not responding as your disgraceful folly deserves, since you didn't speak about me correctly as did my servant Job."

So Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamath did precisely as the LORD had spoken to them, because the LORD showed favor to Job.

Let me announce the decree of the LORD that he told me: "You are my son, today I have become your father.

In death, there is no memory of you. Who will give you thanks where the dead are?

if I have rewarded those who did me good with evil, if I have plundered my enemy without justification,

The wicked will turn back to where the dead are all the nations that have forgotten God.

because all his judgments were always before me, and I did not cast off his statutes.

I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn around until they were utterly defeated.

They cried out for deliverance, but there was no one to deliver; they cried out to the LORD, but he did not answer them.

You rescued me from conflict with the people; you made me head of the nations. People who did not know me will serve me.

LORD, you brought me from death; you kept me alive so that I did not descend into the Pit.

Like a dead man, I am forgotten in their thoughts like broken pottery.

My sin I acknowledged to you; my iniquity I did not hide. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." And you forgave the guilt of my sin! Interlude

But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me attackers whom I did not know. They tore me apart and would not stop.

In the great congregation I have proclaimed the righteous good news. Behold, I did not seal my lips, LORD, as you know.

God, we heard it with our ears; our ancestors told us about what you did in their day a long time ago.

It was not with their sword that they inherited the land, nor did their own arm deliver them. But it was by your power, your strength, and by the light of your face; because you were pleased with them.

However, you cast us off and made us ashamed! You did not even march with our armies!

All this came upon us, yet we did not forsake you, and we have not dealt falsely with your covenant;

Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home.

These things you did, and I kept silent, because you assumed that I was like you. But now I am going to rebuke you, and I will set forth my case before your very own eyes."

Therefore I will praise you forever because of what you did; I will proclaim that your name is good in the midst of your faithful ones. To the Director: Upon . A Davidic instruction.

Come and listen, all of you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.

Blessed be God, who did not turn away my prayers nor his gracious love from me. To the Director of music: Accompanied by stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song.

Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head. My persecutors are mighty, and they want to destroy me. Must I be forced to return what I did not steal?

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; my hands were raised at night and they did not grow weary. I refused to be comforted.

They did not keep God's covenant, and refused to live by his Law.

They did not remember his power the day he delivered them from their adversary,

He blazed a path for his anger; he did not stop short from killing them, but handed them over to pestilence.

But they tested the Most High God by rebelling against him, and they did not obey his statutes.

He rejected the clan of Joseph; and the tribe of Ephraim he did not choose.

Why did you break down its walls so that those who pass by pluck its fruits?

a decree that he prescribed for Joseph when he went throughout the land of Egypt, speaking a language I did not recognize.

Deal with them as you did to Midian, Sisera, and Jabin at the Kishon Brook.

Indeed, about Zion it will be said: "More than one person was born in it," and "The Most High himself did it."

released to remain with the dead, lying in a grave like a corpse, remembered no longer, and cut off from your power.

Can you perform wonders for the dead? Can departed spirits stand up to praise you? Interlude