Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priestly scribe, and the Levites who were imparting understanding to the people said to all of them, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the law.

On the second day of the month the family leaders met with Ezra the scribe, together with all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to consider the words of the law.

They discovered written in the law that the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month,

Ezra read in the book of the law of God day by day, from the first day to the last. They observed the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly as was required.

For one-fourth of the day they stood in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God, and for another fourth they were confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God.

You made known to them your holy Sabbath; you issued commandments, statutes, and law to them through Moses your servant.

"Nonetheless they grew disobedient and rebelled against you; they disregarded your law. They killed your prophets who had solemnly admonished them in order to cause them to return to you. They committed atrocious blasphemies.

And you solemnly admonished them in order to return them to your law, but they behaved presumptuously and did not obey your commandments. They sinned against your ordinances -- those by which an individual, if he obeys them, will live. They boldly turned from you; they rebelled and did not obey.

Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them.

"Now the rest of the people -- the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple attendants, and all those who have separated themselves from the neighboring peoples because of the law of God, along with their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all of whom are able to understand --

hereby participate with their colleagues the town leaders and enter into a curse and an oath to adhere to the law of God which was given through Moses the servant of God, and to obey carefully all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, along with his ordinances and his statutes.

We will not buy on the Sabbath or on a holy day from the neighboring peoples who bring their wares and all kinds of grain to sell on the Sabbath day. We will let the fields lie fallow every seventh year, and we will cancel every loan.

"We -- the priests, the Levites, and the people -- have cast lots concerning the wood offerings, to bring them to the temple of our God according to our families at the designated times year by year to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as is written in the law.

We also accept responsibility, as is written in the law, for bringing the firstborn of our sons and our cattle and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks to the temple of our God, to the priests who are ministering in the temple of our God.

On that day men were appointed over the storerooms for the contributions, first fruits, and tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions prescribed by the law for the priests and the Levites, for the people of Judah took delight in the priests and Levites who were ministering.

When they heard the law, they removed from Israel all who were of mixed ancestry.

Now one of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. So I banished him from my sight.

The king asked, "By law, what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?"

It so happened that when the king's edict and his law became known many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.

A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants, so that they would be prepared for this day.

Throughout each and every province where the king's edict and law were announced there was considerable mourning among the Jews, along with fasting, weeping, and sorrow. Sackcloth and ashes were characteristic of many.

He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people.

"All the servants of the king and the people of the king's provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court -- that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!"

"Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don't eat and don't drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!"

A copy of the edict was to be presented as law throughout each and every province and made known to all peoples, so that the Jews might be prepared on that day to avenge themselves from their enemies.

The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king's edict without delay. And the law was presented in Susa the citadel as well.

Throughout every province and throughout every city where the king's edict and his law arrived, the Jews experienced happiness and joy, banquets and holidays. Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them.

In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies.

Esther replied, "If the king is so inclined, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to act tomorrow also according to today's law, and let them hang the ten sons of Haman on the gallows."

So the king issued orders for this to be done. A law was passed in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.

"Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its fodder?

"Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face!

If I lie down, I say, 'When will I arise?', and the night stretches on and I toss and turn restlessly until the day dawns.

And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, and you will seek me diligently, but I will be gone."

God does not restrain his anger; under him the helpers of Rahab lie crushed.

If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands clean with lye,

Nor is there an arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both,

You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor.

If his sons are honored, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it.

For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return.

His bones were full of his youthful vigor, but that vigor will lie down with him in the dust.

Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover over them both.

When people are brought low and you say 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast;

I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

They are exalted for a little while, and then they are gone, they are brought low like all others, and gathered in, and like a head of grain they are cut off.'

Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.'

so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people.

Scatter abroad the abundance of your anger. Look at every proud man and bring him low;

If you lay your hand on it, you will remember the fight, and you will never do it again!

See, his expectation is wrong, he is laid low even at the sight of it.

Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! (Selah)

I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, Lord, make me safe and secure.

People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive.

The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one's life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.

The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.

But the Lord does not surrender the godly, or allow them to be condemned in a court of law.

I want to do what pleases you, my God. Your law dominates my thoughts."

For we lie in the dirt, with our bellies pressed to the ground.

I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among those who want to devour me; men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are a sharp sword.

When you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver and with glittering gold.

They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth.

He established a rule in Jacob; he set up a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make his deeds known to their descendants,

They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey his law.

If his sons reject my law and disobey my regulations,

How blessed is the one whom you instruct, O Lord, the one whom you teach from your law,

For they say cruel and deceptive things to me; they lie to me.

(Alef) How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, who obey the law of the Lord.

Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law!

Remove me from the path of deceit! Graciously give me your law!

Give me understanding so that I might observe your law, and keep it with all my heart.

Then I will keep your law continually now and for all time.

Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me. Yet I do not turn aside from your law.

Rage takes hold of me because of the wicked, those who reject your law.

I remember your name during the night, O Lord, and I will keep your law.

The ropes of the wicked tighten around me, but I do not forget your law.

Their hearts are calloused, but I find delight in your law.

The law you have revealed is more important to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

May I experience your compassion, so I might live! For I find delight in your law.

The arrogant dig pits to trap me, which violates your law.

If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow.

(Mem) O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it.

My life is in continual danger, but I do not forget your law.

The wicked lay a trap for me, but I do not wander from your precepts.

(Samek) I hate people with divided loyalties, but I love your law.

It is time for the Lord to act -- they break your law!

Tears stream down from my eyes, because people do not keep your law.

Your justice endures, and your law is reliable.

Those who are eager to do wrong draw near; they are far from your law.

(Resh) See my pain and rescue me! For I do not forget your law.

I hate and despise deceit; I love your law.

Those who love your law are completely secure; nothing causes them to stumble.

I long for your deliverance, O Lord; I find delight in your law.

I said, "O Lord, rescue me from those who lie with their lips and those who deceive with their tongue.

You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do.

They rebel against you and act deceitfully; your enemies lie.

If they say, "Come with us! We will lie in wait to shed blood; we will ambush an innocent person capriciously.

but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they ambush their own lives!

When you lie down you will not be filled with fear; when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant.

he taught me, and he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live.