So now, if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the king's store-house at Babylon, to see if it is true that an order was given by Cyrus the king for the building of this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us word of his pleasure in connection with this business.

And the responsible men of the Jews went on with their building, and did well, helped by the teaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, the son of Iddo. They went on building till it was complete, in keeping with the word of the God of Israel, and the orders given by Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes, king of Persia.

And one of them, named Agabus, said publicly through the Spirit that there would be serious need of food all over the earth: which came about in the time of Claudius.

But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.

Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.

to be serious, pure, home keepers, kind, and subordinate to their husbands, so as not to cause God's message to suffer reproach.

In your teaching be serious and sincere.

But the end of all things is near: so be serious in your behaviour and keep on the watch with prayer;

Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;

I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent!